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Oct 21, 2009
Loan-sharks punished <!--10 min-->
Harshest penalty yet for runner comes on back of rising harassment cases <!-- headline one : start --> <!-- headline one : end --> <!-- Author --> <!-- show image if available --> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr></tr> <tr> </tr> <tr> </tr> <tr> </tr> <tr><td colspan="2" class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold">By Elena Chong, Courts Correspondent </td></tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td width="330">
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Zuraimi Abdul Rahim, 29 and jobless, was yesterday handed down a six-year jail term and six strokes. -- PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
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LOAN-SHARK syndicate runners who harass debtors can expect stiff sentences from now on. Zuraimi Abdul Rahim, 29 and jobless, was yesterday handed down a six-year jail term and six strokes of the cane for three counts of mischief by fire and six of harassing debtors on behalf of unlicensed moneylenders. It was the harshest penalty yet for loan-shark runners who use violence to intimidate debtors into paying up what they owe. At least four other runners are awaiting sentencing, also for setting fire to property. Zuraimi, who admitted to the nine charges, had another seven taken into consideration during his sentencing. Operating in various housing estates between March and August, he set fire to the doors of three flats, causing damage to the tune of $50 to $1,000. He also splashed paint on the doors of several known and unknown debtors and defaced the walls of staircase landings with 'O$P$', loan sharks' shorthand for 'owe money, pay money'.
Oct 21, 2009
Loan-sharks punished <!--10 min-->
Harshest penalty yet for runner comes on back of rising harassment cases <!-- headline one : start --> <!-- headline one : end --> <!-- Author --> <!-- show image if available --> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr></tr> <tr> </tr> <tr> </tr> <tr> </tr> <tr><td colspan="2" class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold">By Elena Chong, Courts Correspondent </td></tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td width="330">
</td> <td width="10">
Zuraimi Abdul Rahim, 29 and jobless, was yesterday handed down a six-year jail term and six strokes. -- PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
</td></tr> </tbody></table>
LOAN-SHARK syndicate runners who harass debtors can expect stiff sentences from now on. Zuraimi Abdul Rahim, 29 and jobless, was yesterday handed down a six-year jail term and six strokes of the cane for three counts of mischief by fire and six of harassing debtors on behalf of unlicensed moneylenders. It was the harshest penalty yet for loan-shark runners who use violence to intimidate debtors into paying up what they owe. At least four other runners are awaiting sentencing, also for setting fire to property. Zuraimi, who admitted to the nine charges, had another seven taken into consideration during his sentencing. Operating in various housing estates between March and August, he set fire to the doors of three flats, causing damage to the tune of $50 to $1,000. He also splashed paint on the doors of several known and unknown debtors and defaced the walls of staircase landings with 'O$P$', loan sharks' shorthand for 'owe money, pay money'.
