3 Special Unit cops charged

(NST) KUALA LUMPUR: Three members of the elite Special Action Unit, who are responsible for escorting and protecting dignitaries, ended up being escorted yesterday — as accused persons.

Charged with eight counts of gang robbery, Corporal Sabaruddin Harun, 32, Corporal Ahmad Razi Abd Talib, 27, and Lance Corporal Aminuddin Salim, 28, could face jail terms of up to 20 years and whipping if convicted.

Jointly charged with them was Zaidi Abdullah @ Mohd Yusoff, a 34-year-old businessman. Sabaruddin, who was also charged with exhibiting a Glock pistol when committing the robberies, is also facing a life sentence.

The four allegedly robbed eight people of eight handphones, two spectacles, four bottles of perfume, a gold chain, two gold earrings, a silver bracelet and RM320 cash, at a house in Jinjang Selatan Tambahan in Sentul at 11pm on April 11.

All four accused claimed trial.

Deputy public prosecutor Lee Keng Fatt proposed RM3,000 bail in one surety for each charge.

He, however, did not propose any bail for the firearm offence.

"Sabaruddin is facing a serious charge in addition to the eight robbery charges," said Lee.

Their counsel, Pritam Singh Doal, pleaded for bail to be granted for Sabaruddin too, saying that he was suffering from a medical problem.

Judge Zainal Abidin Kamarudin granted each of the four accused RM10,000 bail in one surety.

As for the firearms charge faced by Sabaruddin, Zainal ordered the Sungai Buloh prison to take him to a doctor for medical attention.

He then fixed May 21 for mention.