KUALA LUMPUR: Sheila Sharon Steven Kumar, better known as "Inspector Sheila" who went viral on social media in June, has been charged with causing a public nuisance.
She pleaded not guilty to the charge here on Wednesday (Nov 8), following which Magistrate Illi Marisqa Khalizan granted her RM500 bail with one surety.
Wednesday's proceeding was to hear mitigation for lower bail, with DPP Zuhairi Osman earlier asking for it to be set at RM1,000.
llli Marisqa then set the next hearing date for Dec 18.
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According to the charge sheet, the 35-year-old Sheila had caused public harm by being angry, sounding her car horn for a long time and yelling to the point of causing a public nuisance at 5.26pm on June 16 in the parking lot of a shopping mall in the Brickfields district.
Charged under Section 268 of the Penal Code for public nuisance, punishable under Section 290 of the same legislation, she is liable to a fine of up to RM400 if found guilty.
In court earlier, her lawyer M. Manoharan said the decision to charge her under Section 268 was unreasonable and an attempt to intimidate her.
He said the decision to charge someone simply for sounding their car horn was setting a precedent that could cause fear among the public, adding that Wednesday's charge against his client under this section was the “first in the country’s history.”
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“Anyone can be charged simply for sounding their car horn. This is a groundless charge because I’ve never heard of a single Malaysian being charged under this section,” said Manoharan.
“Why is this happening? It’s like the prosecution has nothing better to do. It’s embarrassing to appear for such a charge before this court. It will only waste the court’s time and cost,” he added.
Manoharan then said that he hopes his client will be released without any conditions and added that her father will act as guarantor and ensure her attendance at every proceeding.
Previously, Sheila faced three charges of threatening and tarnishing the reputation of a lans koperal and two civilians before Magistrates Chai Guan Hock and Nor Hafizah Rajuni.
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Before Chai, Sheila was accused of threatening a woman with intent to intimidate under Section 506 of the Penal Code. It carries a maximum punishment of two years' imprisonment, or a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Sheila was also accused of insulting the modesty of a man under Section 509 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment, or a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Before Nor Hafizah, Sheila was charged with using improper language towards L/Kpl Abdul Arif Farhan Abdul Razak, with the intention to defame his honour.
All the offences were alleged to have happened at a restaurant in Selayang between noon and 1pm on June 15.
