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Fugitive jailed after 18 years on the run
By Alvina Soh | Posted: 04 October 2011 1334 hrs
SINGAPORE: A man, who was on the run for 18 years, was sentenced to 21 months' jail on Tuesday.
Forty-two-year-old Neo Yeng Kwang pleaded guilty to one charge of housebreaking and another of voluntarily causing hurt, offences he had committed in 1992 and 1993.
Investigations revealed that on 21 May 1992, the odd-job labourer punched a man in a road scuffle at the junction of Moulmein Road.
Nine months later, Neo and an accomplice broke into an office at Defu Lane 10 and stole S$8,200 from a clutch bag.
Court documents showed that Neo was offered bail but fled the country in 1993.
The court also heard that Neo was heavily in debt while on bail, and sought refuge in a temple in Malaysia after being harassed by moneylenders.
On 31 May this year, Neo was extradited to Singapore and arrested.
Neo's defence counsel, Mr Harold Seet, said Neo regretted leaving the country while on bail and was "an immature and naive young man in his early 20s".
However, District Judge Wong Li Tien said she did not see any remorse in Neo, who showed "no regard that he had a court case ongoing".
She added that the amount stolen was significant.
Neo remained emotionless during sentencing.
- CNA/fa
