www.corpun.com
| www.corpun.com : Archive : 2005 : SG Judicial Nov 2005 |
The Straits Times, Singapore, 18 November 2005
Man who hired teens to kill ex-lover jailed
SINGAPORE -- A Singaporean man was sentenced to five years' and six strokes of the cane for hiring three teenagers in an unsuccessful plot to murder his former lover, court officials said on Friday.
Spurned lover Chua Beng Hin instigated the three boys to kill his mistress. -- THE NEW PAPER
Chua Beng Hin, 42, was found guilty on Thursday of paying the boys a total of US$294 in August to gouge out the eyes of his ex-girlfriend with a screwdriver and then kill her.
The married father-of-three wanted Loy Say Lee dead after she called off their 18-month relationship in July and was consumed with jealousy after finding she had a new boyfriend.
'She told my client that they were not compatible as a couple,' lawyer Kertar Singh told the subordinate court as he pleaded for leniency for his client.
'She was 12 years younger than him and they did not share the same interests and hobbies,' he said, adding that Chua had felt 'used and exploited' after having lavished expensive gifts on her.
The three boys, aged between 15 and 16, were caught by police before they could strike, and Chua was subsequently arrested.
The boys have been convicted of planning to murder the woman and will return to court on December 8. -- AFP
The Straits Times, Singapore, 22 November 2005
Loan sharks to face stiffer punishments
By Khushwant Singh
(extracts)
ILLEGAL moneylenders and loan sharks will be meted out punishments that are twice as hard under an amended law approved by Parliament yesterday.
Worst off will be the recalcitrant loan sharks who cause hurt. Besides doubling their jail terms and fines, the changes will make caning compulsory and they can get up to 12 strokes.
The stiffer penalties in the Moneylenders (Amendment) Bill are to send 'a strong message that the Government has zero tolerance for unlicensed moneylending activities', said Senior Minister of State for Law Ho Peng Kee.
Cases of these illegal activities have soared from about 1,500 in 1995 to almost 6,000 last year. And between 2003 and last year, harassment cases more than doubled from 123 arrests to 284.
However, Mr Abdul Khalis (Hong Kah GRC), while supporting the changes, asked whether the Government should also not look at why people resort to getting loans from illegal moneylenders.
With the change, the maximum fine for an illegal moneylender caught the first time will be doubled to $200,000 and his jail term, to two years.
If he repeats the crime, he will be fined the same amount but jailed for five years.
Loan sharks who damage property can be fined up to $40,000, jailed up to three years and caned up to four strokes. When caught again, caning is mandatory and he can get up to six strokes.
Those who cause hurt will face the same maximum fine and jail terms but can be caned up to six strokes. Repeat offenders face mandatory caning and up to 12 strokes.
[...]
Victims of illegal moneylenders welcomed the new Bill. Said a 34-year-old executive, who wanted to be known only as Ms Yeow: 'Loan sharks splattered paint outside my flat to pressure my neighbour who owes them money. The law should show no pity to these criminals.'
Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.
The Straits Times, Singapore, 23 November 2005
Cab hijacker who went on a rampage with sword jailed
By Chong Chee Kin
(extract)
ARMED with two daggers and a samurai sword, Chew Pete Tzen went on a rampage that ended in attempted hara-kiri.
PUNISHED: Chew will also be caned the maximum of 12 strokes for attempted armed robbery
The 33-year-old jobless man tried to rob a taxi driver -- and when the cabby leapt out of the vehicle, Chew hijacked the cab.
When roadworks blocked his way, he got out with his weapons and slashed at anyone who tried to stop him.
When finally cornered by the police, he turned his sword on himself, plunging it into his stomach.
Chew survived -- and yesterday he admitted to the crimes he committed on the night of July 29.
District Judge Tan Puay Boon jailed him for five years and nine months. He will also be caned the maximum 12 strokes for attempted armed robbery.
Chew was also fined $600 and banned from driving for five years after his release from prison.
[...]
www.corpun.com Main menu page
Copyright © C. Farrell 2006
Page created May 2006
