Bandar Seri Begawan - A local man was brought before the Magistrate's Court in the capital yesterday for his alleged attempt to steal from a house in the Lambak Kanan Industrial area over the weekend.

It was heard that Rosmadi bin Suani, 32, was in the vicinity when he decided to enter the said building, and was caught red-handed by an Indonesian resident as he rummaged through belongings in the said house.

When the Statement of Facts was read to him, the man disagreed with one particular detail, stating that he had no intention to steal but, rather, was looking for a drink of water.

Though he had plead guilty to the offence under Section 380 of the Penal Code, Chapter 22, the disagreement between the defendant and the public prosecutor represented by Deputy Public Prosecutor Dk Siti Nurul Fairuz Pg Rosli, of this presented fact led to the presiding magistrate's decision to disregard the defendant's plea and to enter a plea of not guilty instead.

The defendant will now face trial, and if found guilty, he could be penalised with an imprisonment term that may extend to seven years and a fine. And, as the charge is also read with Section 511 of the Penal Code, Chapter 22, he may also face 'a term of imprisonment that shall not exceed one half of the longest term provided for the offence.

As the prosecutor had no objection to bail, the order for remand was not ordered and Rosmadi Suani's bail was set at $1,000 or one local surety under the condition that he reports to the Berakas Police Station once every two weeks starting today, to not approach the prosecution's witnesses, or venture into the vicinity of the said house where he was caught.

The case will be further mentioned on October 2, 2012 at 2pm.