Daily Lessons from Life 21 January 2012 - 1 Year Jail for Stealing S$32 ...

Just a quick one on this case that I commented on 19 Janauray 2012.

The mosque has come forward to reveal the seqeunce of events leading to it making a police report and get that man charged and sentenced to 1 year jail.

It seems that the mosque has tried to help with providing him with lodging, food, and job but this person does not seems to appreciate the kindness and generosity. Instead he continued to ask for money from the staffs and congregation and sometimes behaved very rudely towards them spouting vulgerities and in a threatening manner.

He had been sentenced to corrective measure before and not responding to counselling, etc.

As to if his mother is indeed handicapped and need special assistance or not, the mosque said it will investigage and determine if special help should be rendered or not.

Lessons for me are:

1. the repeat offences do need to be taken into consideration;

2. the severity of the S$32 theft has to be put into proper light with all the previous convictions and the recalcitrant nature of this man. Maybe the counselling was not good enough. Maybe he was simply weak and unable to extract himself from the deep hole he dug himself. Whatever it is, he simply has to face the consequence of his latest action;

3. as for those who against for more compassion, maybe they can offer themselves to help this person. Maybe they have a better way. For those who agreed with the 1 year jail sentence, maybe they are right. You cannot change a person unless that person sees the light and the need to change himself.

A case for all of us to reflect upon. A good case for making tough decision.