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[Ambulance]

Return of the Jagan

[video]https://www.facebook.com/Roads.sg/videos/1068021083230294/[/video]

halo jit kwan si mi 隔空取物神功 si boh

 

[GeneralHavoc]

Killer's final appeal turned down

Published 29 October 2015

Clemency petition to President rejected, Kho Jabing to face the gallows

K.C. Vijayan
Senior Law Correspondent

Convicted killer Kho Jabing has failed in his final bid to be spared the gallows, after his appeal for clemency was turned down by President Tony Tan Keng Yam on the Cabinet's advice.

Kho, 31, was informed of the rejection last week, said his lawyer Anand Nalachandran, who visited him in prison on Wednesday with co-counsel Josephus Tan and Keith Lim.

Kho has gone through an emotional roller coaster, as he was initially sentenced to death in 2010, then re-sentenced to life and then ordered to face death on appeal to the apex court.

The rag-and-bone man from Sarawak had beaten a Chinese construction worker to death with a tree branch in 2008.

Mr Cao Ruyin, 40, was robbed of his mobile phone and died from brain injuries six days later.

In 2010, Kho and his accomplice Galing Kujat, 32, were convicted of murder and sentenced to the then mandatory death penalty. Kho's appeal against conviction was rejected the following year, while Kujat's was allowed.

Instead of murder, Kujat - also from Malaysia - was convicted of robbery with hurt and later sentenced to 18-1/2 years' jail and 19 strokes of the cane.

But after revised laws came into effect in 2013, making the death penalty mandatory only for the most serious form of murder, Kho's lawyers applied for him to be re-sentenced.

In August 2013, the High Court gave Kho a life term instead, but the prosecution challenged this decision before a rare five-man Court of Appeal last year.

The court arrived at a split 3-2 decision in January with the majority finding that given the "sheer savagery and brutality" of the attack, they were "completely satisfied" that Kho "exhibited a blatant disregard for human life in the way he attacked the deceased".

In essence, the act "outraged the feelings of the community", which justified the death penalty.

The minority held that it was unsafe to conclude beyond reasonable doubt that he acted in a way which showed a blatant disregard for human life, despite the gravity of the blows.

Lawyers who submitted the clemency petition to President Tan in April said the death penalty was inappropriate, given that the apex court was split in its decision.

"Essentially, we proposed that the death penalty should require a unanimous decision. We highlighted that certain jurisdictions require a unanimous decision for capital punishment - failing which, life imprisonment is imposed," said Mr Anand.

"Our legislation does not have a similar threshold but clemency could have the same effect."

The lawyers also highlighted that the death penalty was imposed on appeal in a two-tier system and there was no further tier of appeal.

Said Mr Anand: "We are in contact with the Malaysian High Commission and arrangements were made for his mother and sister to come to Singapore to see him.

"We have requested the Singapore Prison Service to notify us of the execution date when fixed. We met with Jabing on Wednesday and we'll help to fulfil his last wishes."

The Court of Appeal's landmark decision on Kho sparked keen discussion earlier this year on how brutal should a murder be to warrant the death penalty.

 

[GeneralHavoc]

Former US Navy Seal gets four weeks' jail for punching taxi driver; fined $800 for mischief

Ian Damery Fitzgerald was sentenced to four weeks' jail and fined $800. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

Published Nov 2, 2015, 12:51 pm SGT
Elena Chong
Court Correspondent

SINGAPORE - A former US Navy Seal convicted of punching a taxi driver and hurling the cabby's walkie-talkie into Marina Bay was sentenced to four weeks' jail and fined $800 on Monday (Nov 2).

American student Ian Damery Fitzgerald, who is appealing against his conviction and sentence, was allowed bail of $5,000.

The 31-year-old, a former member of the US Navy's principal special operations force, was convicted last month of punching Mr Lim Chin Sheng, 42, on the face near Marina Boulevard at about 12.50am on May 31 last year; and for mischief.

The 1.9m tall Fitzgerald denied hitting the cabby and throwing the walkie-talkie into the sea. He claimed that he threw Mr Lim's mobile phone onto a grass patch to diffuse the situation.

The trial went on for 5-1/2 days.

The court heard that Mr Lim was driving his taxi along Marina Boulevard just past the NTUC Centre when Fitzgerald stood in the middle of the leftmost lane to flag down the taxi. He was with his girlfriend, Ms Erin Alexander, who was working in Singapore.

After the couple got into the taxi, Mr Lim refused to take them to Balmoral Crescent. He felt uncomfortable picking up passengers at roads which had double zigzag lines, as it was a traffic offence.

Mr Lim then left the taxi. The couple also got out and Ms Alexander walked away without Fitzgerald.

The cabby saw Fitzgerald taking his pouch from the front driver seat and asked him to return it.

Fitzgerald slammed the door of the taxi on Mr Lim's leg, and pushed him to the ground.

He subsequently pushed Mr Lim to the ground three more times, causing him to fall.

Mr Lim called the police and told Fitzgerald to remain at the scene. Fitzgerald continued to walk away, with Mr Lim pursuing him. Mr Lim tugged at the American's shirt to prevent him from leaving.

At the Promenade area, Fitzgerald turned around and punched Mr Lim on the face. When the cabby fell, his mobile phone and walkie-talkie also dropped. Fitzgerald picked up the walkie-talkie and threw it into Marina Bay.

Mr Lim continued to follow Fitzgerald. While they were near OUE Tower, Fitzgerald pushed Mr Lim into a water fountain.

Mr Lim suffered bruises on the face and was given five days of medical leave.

In his oral judgment, District Judge Low Wee Ping found that Fitzgerald's attacks on Mr Lim were sustained and repeated. He agreed with the prosecution that it was "an almost one-sided assault", and that Fitzgerald was the aggressor.

The judge agreed with the defence that Fitzgerald's actions were not pre-meditated. The accused, who was drunk, had acted on impulse each time.

The maximum punishment for causing hurt is two years' jail and a $5,000 fine; and for mischief, one year's jail and a fine.

 

[Callisto]

Man who strangled wife sentenced to 10 years in jail after murder charge is reduced

Hu Ziqing strangled his wife when she refused to return to China with him. PHOTO: ST FILE

Published Nov 2, 2015, 1:34 pm SGT
Selina Lum

SINGAPORE - Hours before he was to return to China, a jobless man made a last-ditch attempt to persuade his wife to go back with him. But she refused, saying that she would rather die here.

Their heated quarrel escalated into a scuffle and, as they struggled on the bed, Hu Ziqing, 58, choked his 41-year-old wife Liu Bijiao. He released his grip around her neck only after the police came knocking 25 minutes later at their Choa Chu Kang Avenue 2 flat.

On Monday (Nov 2), Hu, now 61, was jailed 10 years after he pleaded guilty to culpable homicide not amounting to murder. He had strangled his wife at about 4am on Aug 8, 2013.

He was charged originally with murder but the charge was reduced as he suffered from a psychiatric illness that lowered his mental responsbility for his actions.

The High Court heard that Hu and Madam Liu married in 2006. It was the second marriage for both. Hu's son from his first marriage died from leukemia.

Hu came to Singapore in 2007 on an employment pass, while his wife was on a dependent's pass. Later, he could not get a job and depended on Madam Liu to support him. She was a beautician.

He was due to leave Singapore on Aug 8, 2013 on a 1pm flight for Macau after his dependent's pass was cancelled.

At about 4am that day, he asked Madam Liu to join him in China. She said no as she wanted to stay in Singapore for three more years so that her daughter from her first marriage could finish her tertiary education here.

He then tried to get intimate with her but she pushed him away. They continued to argue and Hu used his hand to cover her mouth as he did not want the neighbours to hear them. When she bit his finger, he reacted by squeezing her neck.

As they struggled, Madam Liu shouted for her daughter to save her. The 18-year-old called the police and let them into the flat.

Yesterday, Hu's lawyer Chua Eng Hui told the court that Hu felt humiliated and depressed about his wife supporting him. The prospect of losing his family again fuelled his sense of hopelessness and worthlessness, he said.

Mr Chua asked for jail of seven to eight years, saying that the loss of "the most important person in his life" was in itself a severe punishment.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Sarah Shi asked for at least 12 years, arguing that Madam Liu, who had bruises all over her body, suffered a tragic death at the hands of the very person she expected to take care of her.

[email protected]

 

[GeneralHavoc]

Money mule who received almost half a million in stolen cash jailed for 20 months

Lucia Lomibao Luna was jailed for 20 months on Nov 2, 2015.

Published 2 November 2015
Amir Hussain

SINGAPORE - A 37-year-old woman who worked as a money mule and received almost half a million dollars in stolen money last year was jailed for 20 months on Monday (Nov 2).

Lucia Lomibao Luna pleaded guilty to five counts of attempting to receive stolen property, receiving stolen property and transferring the benefits of criminal conduct.

Another nine charges were taken into consideration.

The court heard that in May last year, Lucia, then an S-pass holder working as an assistant supervisor with Big City Coffee House, got to know a man called "Ricardo" on the social networking platform www.tagged.com.

Ricardo told Lucia, a Filipino, that he had an income opportunity for her. The job entailed picking up sums of cash from different agents at various locations, and handing them over to a "money changer" known as "S.K".

There would be a commission of $500 to $1,000 for each completed transaction.

Despite not knowing who Ricardo was, or why there was a need for a third party to transfer the money between the parties, Lucia started doing so on Ricardo's instructions between June and July last year.

She used the pseudonym "Mary" when meeting with the agents and the money changer, and handled sums ranging from $18,000 to $111,000.

She received a total of $459,700.

On July 21 last year, she was arrested by officers from the Commercial Affairs Department during a sting operation, while attempting to receive $75,000 from one agent to transfer to S.K.

According to court documents, the modus operandi for Ricardo's operation was to send an e-mail from a hacked e-mail account, instructing banks to transfer company or personal funds to agents' bank accounts.

Lucia's jail sentence was backdated to Aug 19 this year, when she was first remanded.

For dishonestly receiving or retaining stolen property, she could have been jailed for up to five years and fined.

For converting or transferring property which represents the benefits from criminal conduct, she could have been jailed for up to seven years and fined up to $500,000.

 

[GeneralHavoc]

Construction worker killed lover before hanging himself in Geylang hotel, says coroner

Police cars in front of Hotel 81 Palace in Geylang, where the bodies of Ruli Widyawati and Chinnasamy Baskar were found, on Feb 1, 2015. PHOTO: LIANHE WANBAO

Published 3 November 2015
Elena Chong
Court Correspondent

SINGAPORE - A construction worker took his own life by hanging after killing his lover in a Geylang hotel earlier this year, a coroner found on Tuesday.

Indonesian domestic worker Ruli Widyawati, 28, was found covered in blood and lying motionless on the toilet floor with a towel placed over her body at Hotel 81 Palace in Geylang on the evening of Feb 1. The room was in a complete disarray, with walls, furniture and fittings smeared with blood.

Indian national Chinnasamy Baskar, 30, was found with a ligature mark on his neck area, multiple cuts on his left arm, wrist and the chest area.

Among the items found were a blood-stained kitchen knife, a smaller pen knife, cellphones and a two-page handwritten note in a black sling bag.

Chinnasamy had written about his intent to kill Ms Ruli for cheating on him.

Thirty-four external injuries were found on Ms Ruli's head, neck, torso and four limbs in an autopsy. The fatal injury was a 12cm by 3cm cut on her neck.

Ms Ruli, who was married, and Chinnasamy had checked into the hotel at about 9.30 am that day. They were found dead at about 7.40pm by hotel staff.

In his findings, State Coroner Marvin Bay said the evidence showed a somewhat lopsided relationship, with Chinnasamy in an "ardent and aggressive pursuit'' for Ms Ruli's affections and attention.

He said mobile phone records confirm the tumultuous and troubled relationship. Chinnasamy, he said, had invested considerably in the relationship, going to the extent of borrowing from multiple individuals to provide for Ms Ruli.

"Mr Chinnasamy had developed a morbid suspicion that Ruli was seeing another individual,'' he said. Chinnasamy was becoming increasingly unstable and brazen over the notion that Ms Ruli had betrayed his affections.

He had sought to enter her place of work while posing as a repairman on Jan 25, and had openly declared his intent to end her life if she had not been faithful to their relationship.

Coroner Bay found Ms Ruli to have been the victim of an unlawful killing, and Chinnasamy to have ended his own life after killing her.

 

[GeneralHavoc]

F1 race track intruder gets six weeks' jail for rash act

British national Yogvitam Pravin Dhokia arrives at the state court in Singapore on Oct 16, 2015.PHOTO: AFP

Published Nov 3, 2015, 1:14 pm SGT
Elena Chong
Court Correspondent

SINGAPORE - A Briton who crossed the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix race track while the race was on was sentenced to six weeks' jail on Tuesday (Nov 3).

Yogvitam Pravin Dhokia, 27, pleaded guilty to committing a rash act to endanger the personal safety of F1 drivers in the Marina Bay Street Circuit at about 9pm on Sept 20.

District Judge Chay Yuen Fatt backdated his sentence to Oct 16.

A second charge of criminal trespass by entering the race track along Esplanade Drive with the intent to cause annoyance was considered during his sentencing.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Marshall Lim said one hour into the race, Dhokia decided to breach the perimeter fence and gain access to the race track. He did this to take a video of the race cars as they sped past.

The section of the track on Esplanade Drive between Turn 13 and Turn 14 is a relatively long and straight stretch which is designed for race cars to accelerate and maintain a high speed to facilitate overtaking when they enter Turn 14.

Dhokia knew that it was dangerous to cross the track when the race was in progress because the cars were travelling at a high speed, said DPP Lim.

He first climbed over a barrier, walked into a structure known as the escape cage and then climbed out of an egress outlet onto the track when the race was in full swing.

While Dhokia was crossing the track and reached the middle, Sebastian Vettel, a driver for the Scuderia Ferrari F1 team, rounded Turn 13.

When Dhokia noticed that the race cars were fast approaching him, he picked up his pace and jogged across the road just as the cars raced past him at speeds approaching 270kmh.

Vettel saw him and exclaimed: "There's a man on the track!''

The court heard that three marshals blew their whistles and called out to him to get off the track but he ignored them.

After he crossed to the other side of the road, Dhokia used his iPhone to take a video of the oncoming cars. He recorded a car speeding by using the slow motion recording function on his cellphone.

Dhokia finally exited the track via the escape cage and was pulled to safety by two of the marshals.

A blood sample taken from him was found to contain an anti-malaria medication. Various medicines were also seized from him.

DPP Lim had sought eight to 12 weeks' jail to send a strong deterrent signal to forewarn any like-minded individuals against trying another intrusion in further editions of the race.

Lawyer Shashi Nathan countered that six weeks would suffice. He said that this was his client's first overseas trip. The former customer service duty manager, who had intended to travel to Vietnam, had packed numerous types of medication. He suffers from several ailments such as eczema, asthma and hay fever.

Mr Nathan said the avid F1 fan impulsively walked through the opening to get a better view of the race cars due to a lapse of judgment and the combined effects of the medicines.

Dhokia, who looked contrite, spent 11 days in remand after he was charged. He later came out on a personal bond after his parents arrived here from Britain. He voluntarily went back to remand on Oct 16.

He could have been jailed for up to six months and fined up to $2,000 for committing a rash act.

 

[GeneralHavoc]

Construction worker killed lover before hanging himself in Geylang hotel, says coroner

Photo: The New Paper, YouTube screengrab

Elena Chong
Wednesday, Nov 4, 2015

SINGAPORE - A construction worker took his own life by hanging after killing his lover in a Geylang hotel earlier this year, a coroner found on Tuesday.

Indonesian domestic worker Ruli Widyawati, 28, was found covered in blood and lying motionless on the toilet floor with a towel placed over her body at Hotel 81 Palace in Geylang on the evening of Feb 1. The room was in a complete disarray, with walls, furniture and fittings smeared with blood.

Indian national Chinnasamy Baskar, 30, was found with a ligature mark on his neck area, multiple cuts on his left arm, wrist and the chest area.

Among the items found were a blood-stained kitchen knife, a smaller pen knife, cellphones and a two-page handwritten note in a black sling bag.

Chinnasamy had written about his intent to kill Ms Ruli for cheating on him.

Thirty-four external injuries were found on Ms Ruli's head, neck, torso and four limbs in an autopsy. The fatal injury was a 12cm by 3cm cuton her neck.

Ms Ruli, who was married, and Chinnasamy had checked into the hotel at about 9.30 am that day. They were found dead at about 7.40pm by hotel staff .

In his findings State Coroner Marvin Bay said the evidence showed a somewhat lopsided relationship, with Chinnasamy in an "ardent and aggressive pursuit'' for Ms Ruli's affections and attention.
Two found dead in Geylang hotel

He said mobile phone records confirm the tumultuous and troubled relationship.Chinnasamy, he said, had invested considerably in the relationship, going to the extent of borrowing from multiple individuals to provide for Ms Ruli.

"Mr Chinnasamy had developed a morbid suspicion that Ruli was seeing another individual,'' he said. Chinnasamy was becoming increasingly unstable and brazen over the notion that Ms Ruli had betrayed his affections.

He had sought to enter her place of work while posing as a repairman on Jan 25, and had openly declared his intent to end her life if she had not been faithful to their relationship.

Coroner Bay found Ms Ruli to have been the victim of an unlawful killing, and Chinnasamy to have ended his own life after killing her.

 

[GeneralHavoc]

Teen stole dad's car for joyride

Ronald Loh
Thursday, Nov 5, 2015

SINGAPORE - The teen, who did not have a driving licence, waited for his father to fall asleep, then took his car for a joyride.

If that was not bad enough, he sped past a police road block when ordered to stop.

And this was just months after he had been nabbed for taking drugs.

Yesterday, Thomas Joseph Anderson, 17, a British national, was sentenced to 24 months' probation and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service.

The court heard that Anderson's father had rented a white Kia Sportage from National Car Rentals in Havelock Road.

On Nov 10, 2014, as his father slept, Anderson helped himself to the car keys, without permission, so that he could drive to meet his girlfriend.

At about 1.10am, he was driving along Holland Road towards Ulu Pandan Road when he approached a road barrier set up by the police.

He slowed his vehicle down, but sped up again when he was about 30m from the barrier.

He then switched to the rightmost lane, narrowly sped past an officer and tried to get away.

CAR PLATE

Police officers gave chase, but lost him at the junction of Holland Road and Holland Avenue.

They used the vehicle's registration number to track down Anderson, who admitted he did not stop at the barrier as he did not want to be caught for driving without a licence.

The court also heard that Anderson had been arrested on Sept 6, 2014, by police officers at the holding room of Marina Bay Sands Casino on suspicion of having taken drugs.

His urine later tested positive for cannabis.

He admitted that he had bought the drugs from an unidentified man at *Scape Orchard and had paid $50 for 2g of cannabis.

Earlier this year, Anderson had pleaded guilty to five charges, which included one count of failing to stop at a police road barrier when told to do so, one count of driving his father's car without consent, and one count of driving without valid insurance.

The other two charges were for driving without a licence and one count of consumption of drugs. Five other charges were taken into consideration for sentencing.

Yesterday, District Judge Salina Ishak said the court was concerned about Anderson's history with drugs and said he had to put in effort to rehabilitate.

The judge ordered Anderson to be placed on 24 months' split probation: 18 months of intensive probation and six months of supervised probation.

Conditions of probation include him spending 18 months at halfway house The Hiding Place, staying indoors between 10pm and 6am, and undergoing regular urine tests.

His parents will also be bonded for $5,000.

 

[GeneralHavoc]

Business development manager fined $1,200 for kicking taxi door

Malcolm Richard Manson was fined $1,200 for mischief.

Published Nov 6, 2015, 12:41 pm SGT
Elena Chong
Court Correspondent

SINGAPORE - A business development manager who kicked the rear passenger door of a taxi was fined $1,200 on Friday (Nov 6) for mischief.

Briton Malcolm Richard Manson, 54, had pleaded guilty to committing the offence near Liang Court shopping centre along River Valley Road at 1.44am on June 1, 2013.

He was given a discharge amounting to an acquittal for punching taxi driver Chua Kwee Hwa, 37, on the cheek after the charge was withdrawn. He had compensated the victim $2,000.

The court heard that Mr Chua was driving and queuing up in the taxi queue at the taxi stand at Liang Court when Manson tried to board it. He tried to open the rear left passenger door but it was locked.

Mr Chua then wound down the rear left window and told Manson that he could not pick him up as he was not queuing up at the taxi stand.

Manson then put his hand through the rear left window and tried to open the door from the inside.

At this juncture, Mr Chua drove the vehicle two car-lengths forward. Manson kicked the rear left passenger door, resulting in a dent. He has since paid $200 for the cost of repair to the damage.

He could have been jailed for up to one year and/or fined for mischief.

 

[Nuance]

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[GeneralHavoc]

Fined for hitting man over parking space

John Duncan Tasker was fined $1,500 and ordered to pay $1,000 in compensation to Mr Yak Eng Kiat.

Published Nov 9, 2015
Amir Hussain

A former grassroots leader was yesterday fined $1,500 and ordered to pay $1,000 in compensation to a man he punched in an altercation over a carpark space.

John Duncan Tasker, 48, was vice-chairman of the Upper Changi Neighbourhood Committee from 2013 until July this year. He pleaded guilty to a charge of causing hurt, and a count of acting rashly was taken into consideration in sentencing.

The court heard that at about 6.10 pm on May 30, Mr Yak Eng Kiat, 37, drove to Carpark C1 at East Coast Park and switched on his hazard lights while waiting for a car to leave a parking space. Tasker, a permanent resident from Britain, drove his car against the direction of traffic and took the space.

Mr Yak then wound down his driver's seat window and asked: "How could you do this?"

Tasker went up to Mr Yak and a quarrel ensued, and both men exchanged vulgarities. Tasker then threw a punch at Mr Yak and returned to his car. As Mr Yak got out of his car to take photos of Tasker's car plate, the latter drove towards him before leaving the carpark. Mr Yak stepped aside and was not hit.

He had a 2cm cut above his right eyelid stitched up in hospital and got six days of medical leave.

In mitigation, Tasker's lawyer Terence Tan told District Judge Shawn Ho that on the day of the incident, when his client went up to Mr Yak, who was shouting, and told him to calm down, the latter hurled expletives in front of his two young children.

He added that Tasker offered Mr Yak compensation of $2,500, even before he was charged in court.

Tasker is the chief operating officer of a sportswear retailer and distributor, which he co-founded.

 

[GeneralHavoc]

Businessman jailed for supplying fake degree

Published Nov 8, 2015, 5:00 am SGT

Judge notes spike in cases of foreigners using fake certs to apply for work passes

K.C. Vijayan
Senior Law Correspondent

A district judge, noting that more foreigners are using fake university degrees to get work passes, sentenced a Chinese national to 12 weeks' jail last month for helping a woman from China get a fake degree.

The judge also noted in judgment grounds last week that businessman Dong Gui Tian showed no remorse.

"As I was reading out the oral grounds for conviction, Dong showed positive aggression and non-remorse by violently banging against the witness dock which he was seated in, breaking the metal latches which secured the dock, thereby damaging court property," said District Judge Carrie Chan.

Dong, a permanent resident here, had supplied a forged university degree in economic science for $3,000 to Li Yang Yang in 2009, to support her work pass application. Li, 30, who came here in 2009, pleaded guilty in 2010 for giving false data to the Manpower Ministry in her employment pass application and got four weeks' jail then.

She had identified Dong as the agent who "did everything for her".

She did not get to work and was supported by her boyfriend while here. She met Dong at least four times and paid a total of $19,000.

She was one of four witnesses who testified for the prosecution.

Dong denied knowing or helping Li, and further claimed that the investigating officer had sought $5,000 in bribes from him in 2010.

But the judge noted Li had no reason to falsely implicate Dong and that Dong did not offer evidence to support his claim that the probe officer had asked him for money.

The prosecutors, Mr Amos Tan and Ms Madhu Satish Kumar, called for a deterrent jail term, pointing to Dong's two past convictions for cheating and helping to employ a foreign worker illegally, and citing the spike in forged certificates.

There were seven cases of foreigners involved in forged certificates in 2010 , and 77 two years later.

Dong is appealing against the 12-week jail term and conviction.

 

[GeneralHavoc]

Chef jailed one month for molesting woman on Causeway Link bus

A Malaysian chef who molested a young woman while sitting next to her on a Causeway Link bus was jailed for one month on Wednesday.

Published Nov 11, 2015, 1:43 pm SGT
Elena Chong
Court Correspondent

SINGAPORE - A Malaysian chef who molested a young woman while sitting next to her on a Causeway Link bus was jailed for one month on Wednesday (Nov 11).

Ow Yong Chee Hao, 26, admitted stroking the thigh of the 21-year-old Malaysian woman and using his elbow to touch her waist area while travelling from Woodlands checkpoint to Queen Street on June 27.

A court heard that Ow Yong sat next to the woman after they had boarded the Causeway Link bus from Woodlands checkpoint that evening.

She noticed that he sat very close to her and felt his elbow touching her waist area.

When he noticed her using a WeChat application on her mobile phone, he showed her his phone with a typed message asking her for her WeChat account name. She ignored him but he persisted and kept bugging her.

Afraid, she gave him her WeChat account name. He immediately added her onto his WeChat and sat even closer to her. He used the back of his hand to stroke her left thigh and messaged her, asking why she was ignoring him.

She replied that she did not know him and told him not to touch her with his hand. But he ignored this and continued to molest her. He messaged her saying she looked sexy and that he wanted to hold her hand.

She told him not to do try anything or she would report him to the police.

Throughout the rest of the journey, he kept touching her thigh and grazing her waist area.

Her ordeal ended when the bus reached the Queen Street terminal.

After confiding in her friends, she lodged a police report. Ow Yong was subsequently traced through a telco screening and arrested.

He could have been jailed for up to two years, fined, caned or received any combined sentence.

 

[GeneralHavoc]

Lorry driver jailed for causing death of motorcycle pillion rider

Vengadatchalame Sureche pleaded guilty to one count of committing a negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide.

Published 11 November 2015
Ng Huiwen

SINGAPORE - A 39-year-old motor lorry driver was sentenced to three months' jail and disqualified from driving for five years for causing the death of a motorcycle pillion rider.

Vengadatchalame Sureche pleaded guilty to one count of committing a negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide. Another charge was taken into consideration.

On Jan 15 at about 8am, the Singapore permanent resident was delivering metal plates on his company's silver Toyota motor lorry when he decided to make a U-turn along Woodlands Link.

At that time, motorcyclist Ooi Peng Wei and his girlfriend, Ms Lim Sooi Cheng, both Malaysians, were travelling at about 73kmh along the same road. This was above the speed limit of 50kmh.

Although he noticed Mr Ooi's red and black Yamaha motorcyle about 50 metres away, Vengadatchalame continued with his U-turn, thinking that he still had time to pass safely.

His lorry however collided with the motorcycle, causing both 30-year-old Ooi and his 26-year-old girlfriend, who was riding pillion, to be flung off.

Ms Lim was pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene at 9am.

The court heard that at the time of the incident, Vengadatchalame's view was not obstructed, weather conditions were fine and visibility was clear. Traffic flow was also light.

Anyone found guilty of causing death by doing a negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide may be jailed for up to two years, fined, or both.

 

[GeneralHavoc]

Two women sentenced to 6 weeks' jail each for assaulting taxi driver

Both Li Li and Fan Xiling were sentenced to six weeks' jail for assaulting the cabby.

Published 12 November 2015
Elena Chong
Court Correspondent

SINGAPORE - Two women, who assaulted a taxi driver, were each sentenced to six weeks' jail on Thursday .

Stall assistant Li Li, 40, admitted punching cabby Shah Kamariza Raja Abdul Razak on the face while beautician Fan Xiling, 34, pleaded guilty to kicking the 36-year-old's thigh in Toa Payoh North on March 14 this year.

A court heard that Mr Shah Kamariza picked up the two women - both Singapore permanent residents from China - from Peace Centre at about 1am. They requested to go to Block 204 Toa Payoh North and then to Fernvale in Sengkang.

After reaching Block 204, Li alighted to collect some items from a friend.

While waiting for her to return, Fan told the driver she wanted to smoke. She then wound down the taxi window and lit a cigarette.

The cabby told her he did not allow anyone to smoke in his taxi, and if she wanted to, she should alight and pay the taxi fare of $15.

Fan then alighted without paying the fare and crossed the road. The cabby chased her, pulled her and asked her to pay the taxi fare.

Li returned and joined the dispute.

A taxi driver passing by tried to intervene and also told Fan that passengers were not allowed to smoke in taxis. Fan retorted that if she could not smoke in the taxi, she would not pay the fare.

When Mr Shah Kamariza was calling the police, Fan kicked his thigh while Li punched him on the face and body multiple times.

When he moved backwards and tried to block their attacks, the two women started pulling his shirt and it tore.

A 31-year-old motorist saw the commotion and used his cell phone to record the incident.

Fan took off one of her heeled shoes and tried to hit Mr Shah Kamariza's head with it. The taxi driver wedged himself between the victim and the two women, helping the victim to block off the duo's further advances. Li and Fan shouted vulgarities at the victim and tried to stop the motorist from recording the incident.

They could have been jailed for up to two years and fined up to $5,000.

 

[GeneralHavoc]

Air stewardess fined for 30-minute shoplifting spree at Paragon stores

A 27-year-old Japanese flight stewardess was on Monday fined $7,000 for stealing from shops in Paragon earlier this year.

Published Nov 16, 2015, 1:39 pm SGT
Amir Hussain

SINGAPORE - A 27-year-old Japanese flight stewardess was on Monday (Nov 16) fined $7,000 for stealing from shops in Paragon earlier this year.

Satoko Otaka, who was suffering from major depression with impulse control disorder at the time of the offence, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft.

Another four charges of theft and one count of possession of stolen property were taken into consideration during sentencing.

The court heard that Otaka flew to Singapore on an All Nippon Airways flight early on Aug 4.

Fatigued, and with no sleep, she went to Paragon shopping centre in Orchard Road.

At about 12.20pm, a deputy manager at Marketplace supermarket detained Otaka for shoplifting and called the police.

Among other items she had taken from the shop were fruits, post cards, packaged soup and vegetable stock. The total value of the items was $171.74.

A Salvatore Ferragamo coin pouch, card holder and wallet was also found on her. The stolen branded items amounted to $1,750.

Police also found a Mizuno men's tights in her possession. The item from World Of Sports cost $165.90.

The shoplifting spree at seven shops in all lasted from 10.30am to 11am, and the total value of the stolen items was $2,356.14.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Goh Yi Ling asked the court to impose a fine on Otaka.

In mitigation, Otaka's lawyer Gary Low told the court that the offences were not premeditated nor committed for financial and material gain.

There was also no loss, and the stolen items were recovered.

Mr Low said his client, who was ascertained to be suffering from major depression and impulse control disorder at the time, is now receiving appropriate psychiatric treatment.

Mr Low asked for utmost leniency from the court, and for a fine of $6,000.

The penalty for theft is up to three years' jail, or a fine, or both.

 

[GeneralHavoc]

Passenger jailed 9 months for molesting SilkAir stewardess

Wednesday, Nov 18, 2015

SINGAPORE - An Indian national was jailed for nine months on Wednesday (Nov 18), after he was found guilty of molesting a stewardess while on board a SilkAir flight from India to Singapore in September.

According to Channel NewsAsia, Kizhakkumkkara Thomas Ajeesh, 31, admitted to using his right hand to brush against the 26-year-old crew member's breasts. He also pleaded guilty to being drunk to the extent where he jeopardised the good order and discipline required on board an aircraft.

The incident occurred shortly after the flight departed Trivandrum, India, on Sept 9 at about 1.15am.

The accused had asked crew members for alcoholic drinks and was served four glasses of whiskey.

He became tipsy but continued to demand more alcohol from the cabin crew, who were instructed not to serve him any more alcohol.

The court heard that at about 4am, the seatbelt sign was switched on and Kizhakkumkkara was told to fasten his seatbelt.

He refused and badgered the victim, a stewardess, for more alcohol. She refused and as she turned to go back to the galley, he used his hand to brush against her breasts.

The woman screamed, while her colleague and another passenger, who witnessed the incident, shouted at Kizhakkumkkara to stop.

The accused told the court that he had been drunk at the time and apologised for his actions, reported Channel NewsAsia.

For outrage of modesty, Kizhakkumkkara could have been jailed for up to two years, caned and fined.

For being intoxicated on board a flight, he could have been fined up to $20,000 and jailed up to 12 months.

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[GeneralHavoc]

Man who took part in group assault which left victim with brain injury jailed 3 1/2 years

Phang Wee Lon pleaded guilty to three charges, with another three counts taken into consideration during sentencing.

Published 18 Nov 2015
Amir Hussain

SINGAPORE - A 21-year-old man was sentenced to 3 1/2 years' jail with six strokes of the cane on Wednesday for rioting, theft and drug consumption.

Phang Wee Lon pleaded guilty to three charges, with another three counts taken into consideration during sentencing.

The court heard that on Oct 21 last year, Phang, a permanent resident from Malaysia, went to Club Flux in Serangoon Road with four friends.

Also at the club were Shawn Ho Yong Han, 26, and Wang Jie Feng, 22, who did not interact with Phang or his friends.

As Mr Ho and Mr Wang were trying to get a taxi along Serangoon Road at about 3.30am the next morning, they saw Phang and his friends running towards them.

Phang and his friends pulled the duo onto the road, and punched and kicked them for about a minute.

The attackers then went back into the club. A bouncer who heard them talking about the assault and saw blood on one of their hands later called the police.

Mr Ho was taken to hospital with a skull fracture, and bleeding in his brain.

A medical report early this year stated that he has "occasional word finding difficulties". He was also diagnosed with post-traumatic epilepsy, as a result of his head injuries, and will need to take anti-convulsant medication for the rest of his life.

Mr Wang, meanwhile, had bruises on his head and arm. He did not see a doctor.

A month after the assault, Phang was arrested again, this time on suspicion of drug consumption.

His urine was found to contain methamphetamine, and he admitted to consuming "Ice".

The court also heard that on May 4 last year, Phang went to the Bottega Veneta Boutique at T Galleria by DFS in Scotts Road and stole a bracelet worth $530.

The next day, he went back to the shop and pocketed a similar bracelet while his friend distracted a shop assistant.

A security officer on the lookout for Phang saw him taking the bracelet from a display drawer and putting it into the front pocket of his trousers.

He detained Phang and called the police.

When Phang was released from police custody the next day, he also stole $20 from a 13-year-old student near NEX shopping mall.

In sentencing Phang on Wednesday, District Judge Mathew Joseph noted that the "extremely callous" assault on Mr Ho and Mr Wang was unprovoked, deliberate and prolonged.

The injuries suffered by Mr Ho was also indicative of the "horrific nature" of the assault, he said.

Noting that Phang has been placed on both probation and reformative training previously, and that he had committed offences while on bail, the judge said: "It seems that the law has got no sting on you. You've been quite bold and brazen."

Phang's sentence was backdated to the date of his remand on Nov 13 last year.

 

[GeneralHavoc]

Man jailed two weeks for cheating people and molesting 16-year-old girl

A 20-year-old man was jailed for two weeks on Wednesday for cheating people and molesting a 16-year-old girl.

Published Nov 18, 2015, 2:06 pm SGT
Amir Hussain

SINGAPORE - A 20-year-old man was jailed for two weeks on Wednesday for cheating people and molesting a 16-year-old girl.

The court heard that Neil Christian Alejandro Casiano went to Orchard Road on Nov 9 this year to collect donations from passers-by.

The Filipino, who arrived in Singapore on a social visit pass on Oct 27 this year, claimed to be collecting the money on behalf of Childhope Asia, which is based in the Philippines.

He had printed two donor cards, two donor lists and a volunteer identification card bearing his name and photograph, on Nov 8.

The next day, at about 8pm, he stopped the 16-year-old girl outside Ngee Ann City. He showed her the fake Childhope Asia volunteer card and claimed that he was collecting money to help needy children.

He asked her to donate $10. When she declined, Neil took her aside and started to preach to her about religion.

After she donated $2, he asked her to write her name and sign on the donor list.

Then, at his request, the girl took a photo of them together using her mobile phone.

Suddenly, Neil hugged her from the side and brought his face very close to hers.

The girl managed to push him aside and left. She later related the incident to her mother and they reported it to the police.

Neil was arrested outside Ngee Ann City the same day.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of cheating and a count of outrage of modesty.

Another charge of outrage of modesty was taken into consideration during sentencing.

Neil admitted to holding both the girl's hands and kissing her right hand.

In all, he collected $70 from scammed victims. The money was for Neil's personal use.

In mitigation, Neil told the court that he was remorseful. He said he would like to go back home as soon as possible as his father died last Monday.

For cheating, he could have been jailed for up to three years and fined. For using criminal force to outrage he modesty of a person, he could have been jailed for up to two years, or fined, caned, or handed any combination of such punishment.