SINGAPORE – An unlicensed driver who drove against the flow of traffic and beat four red lights in Bukit Panjang as he tried to evade arrest has been sentenced to eight months and two weeks’ jail.
Ho Whai Keet, 46, was also handed an eight-year driving ban on Nov 5 by a district judge, who said the overall sentence was “necessary to achieve the goal of deterrence”.
In his written judgment, District Judge Koo Zhi Xuan said: “Those who drive dangerously to evade arrest, risking the safety of motorists, pedestrians and police officers, must be severely dealt with.”
On the night of Feb 15, Ho sped off after defying a police officer’s order to stop on the BKE, and violated various traffic rules before he hit a centre divider in Choa Chu Kang Avenue 4.
Ho pleaded guilty on Sept 18 to four charges, one each for driving without a licence, driving without insurance coverage, failing to stop when ordered by a police officer to do so, and dangerous driving.
Judge Koo’s judgment focused on the individual sentence for the dangerous driving offence.
As a repeat offender, Ho could have been sentenced to a fine of up to $10,000, or up to two years’ jail, or both.
Judge Koo said that at the hearing on Sept 18, he questioned the initial sentencing submissions by the prosecution, which had suggested four to six weeks’ jail for the charge.
The judge said he “could not comprehend” how such a low sentence could possibly be justified.
Such a lenient sentence could incentivise would-be offenders to gamble with the lives of others to evade arrest, knowing that their overall punishment would not substantially increase, he added.
The prosecution later revised its submission to a jail term of 5½ to eight months while the defence suggested six to eight months’ jail, he said.
In imposing eight months’ jail for this charge, Judge Koo noted that the level of potential harm was high, as most of Ho’s dangerous acts had taken place near residential areas.
At one point, Ho clocked up to 115kmh along Bukit Panjang Ring Road, where the speed limit is 50 kmh.
Ho also zipped past at least five zebra crossings without slowing down. Video footage also showed a pedestrian walking across a small, bending road just seconds before Ho sped past.
