Duo who fought on PIE after traffic accident jailed for 2 weeks and fined $3,000
Ong Kuok Ann (pictured) and Saw Jin Xiong were sentenced to two weeks' jail and fined $3,000 for lying to the police and fighting in public.ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW
Published Feb 25, 2016, 3:18 pm SGT
Amir Hussain
SINGAPORE - After a night out drinking, two friends who got into a traffic accident fought with another driver and punched him in the face.
The duo then lied to the police about who drove the car, causing a breathalyser test to be administered on the wrong person.
On Thursday (Feb 25), Saw Jin Xiong, 34, and Augustine Ong Kuok Ann, 36, were each sentenced to two weeks' jail and fined $3,000.
They each pleaded guilty to a charge of giving false information to the police and to a count of affray, or disturbing the public peace by fighting in a public place.
On Feb 25 last year, Saw and Ong met for drinks at a pub in Joo Chiat Road at about 7.30pm. At about 9pm, both got into Ong's car. Ong drove the car while Saw sat in the front passenger seat.
At about 9.30pm, as they were exiting the Pan-Island Expressway onto Upper Changi Road East, in the direction of the Tampines Expressway, Ong suddenly stepped on his brakes.
A car travelling behind was unable to stop in time and crashed into the back of Ong's vehicle. A third car also got caught in the pile-up.
Saw, Ong and the drivers of the two other cars alighted from their vehicles and, when the driver of the second car walked towards Ong's car, Saw punched his face.
The 37-year-old retaliated by punching Saw in the face. Ong then punched the driver's face.
The third driver intervened and separated the trio.
When police arrived, Saw lied that he had driven Ong's car, to protect Ong from being caught for drink-driving.
A breathalyser test was then done on Saw, who passed it. The test was not conducted on Ong, as police thought he had been the passenger.
When interviewed by the police later at Changi General Hospital, Ong also lied that Saw had driven the car, to escape being investigated for drink-driving.
The maximum punishments for affray and giving false information to the police is one year in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Ong and Saw will start serving their sentences on Monday (Feb 29).
