Man who threatened shop staff with stolen knife receives one-year prison term

A man who stole a set of knives from a shop in Male’ City and threatened the shop’s staff has been sentenced to prison.

The incident took place at the Ihsaan Fihaara in Maafannu district on May 26, 2021.

Mohamed Zuhair, Murigu, L. Maabaidhoo, was pressed with three charges; theft, intimidation, and possession of a sharp-instrument in public without credible cause.

Zuhair had stolen a set of Kiwi brand knifes from the first floor of the shop. When the shop’s staff grew suspicious and tried to stop him, he had taken out a knife from the set and threatened to stab them.

Bystanders joined the staff and captured and handed him over to the police when he tried to flee.

Zuhair had pleaded guilty to all three charges, and did not seek the assistance of a lawyer.

He received six months in prison each for theft and possession of a sharp-instrument in public without credible cause, and 27 days in prison and 153 hours of community service for theft.

The case was heard by Criminal Court Judge Saffath Habeeb.