David Ngu, 41, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft before magistrates Mason Jaro Lenya Barayan and Ling Hui Chuan, Dayak Daily reported.

On two counts, Mason sentenced Ngu, who has hearing disabilities, to seven months and five months jail. Ling then meted out a four-month jail term for the third charge.

The court then ordered all three sentences to run concurrently.

Ngu was charged with stealing RM1,500 from a visually impaired person, as well as RM1,200 and RM500 from two other men, aged 63 and 76, respectively.

He was accused of committing the offences on Jan 30, March 18 and March 30, respectively, at three different bank branches in Kuching.

According to the case facts, Ngu offered to help the victims withdraw cash from the ATM and used hand signals since he was hearing-impaired.

The victims would enter their cards and key in their passcodes before allowing Ngu to operate the machine.

Ngu, who has a criminal record, would then discreetly help himself to some of the cash before fleeing.