T
Taigong Wang
Guest
Mar 22, 2011
Man with no kidneys may be spared jail for bribe attempt
By Khushwant Singh
A district court heard on Tuesday that Gwee Teck Hee (above), the 57-year-old sole proprietor of Kao Hong Contractor, who had both kidneys removed in 1999 and is suffering from end-stage renal failure, may not be able to survive imprisonment. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW
THE offence of bribing a police officer is ordinarily punished with a prison term of several months but Gwee Teck Hee could be spared a stint behind bars.
A district court heard on Tuesday that the 57-year-old sole proprietor of Kao Hong Contractor, who had both kidneys removed in 1999 and is suffering from end-stage renal failure, may not be able to survive imprisonment.
His lawyer said that Gwee is dependent on dialysis three times a week.
The prosecution also informed District Judge Wong Peck that it had no objection to a fine being levied in light of Gwee's medical condition.
The businessman had pleaded guilty in January 2011, to trying to bribe Sergeant Mohammad Sufyan Mohd Safie.
On Tuesday, he also admitted to driving without a licence and without vehicle insurance and taking a car without the owner's consent.
He was pulled up by the officer for using a cell phone while driving along Geylang Road at 4.40pm in June 2010.
A check then revealed that he had no driving licence.
It was also found out that the black BMW car had been loaned to his wife by a friend, and he had used a duplicate key to take it out without her consent.
While pleading to the officer not to issue a summons, Gwee offered 'coffee money' and rubbed his thumb and index finger together to signal he was referring to a bribe.
Then, assuming the officer was wary of the crowd that had gathered, Gwee passed his telephone number and told the cop to call him later.
Instead, Sgt Mohammad Sufyan reported the bribery attempt to his superior and the businessman was taken into custody.
He will be sentenced on April 1 for his most recent offences.
