SINGAPORE – An intoxicated motorist who lost control of his Lexus at the Tuas checkpoint, causing an accident that
left an auxiliary police officer in a vegetative state
, had his jail term increased from 3½ years to five years on Dec 5.
The sentence imposed by High Court Judge Aidan Xu is higher than the four-year term that the prosecution had sought in its appeal against the original jail term handed down to Yoong Kok Kai, 44.
Justice Xu also imposed the maximum fine of $10,000, which was inadvertently omitted by
the district judge who sentenced Yoong on March 17
.
There was no change to the 10-year driving disqualification period imposed by the lower court.
In brief remarks, Justice Xu noted that Yoong “drove so dangerously that he smashed into a bollard and a gantry post on the pavement, hitting and causing very serious, life-changing injuries to the hapless officer who had taken refuge behind these objects, having seen the car careen down the road at high speed”.
The judge said there is no excuse for those who choose to drink large amounts of alcohol and yet drive.
“Those who drive at excessive speed, or in a manner posing danger to others, while intoxicated, and who cause extensive injury to other persons, as well as property damage, can only expect very heavy sentences towards the highest end of the scale,” he said.
He added: “If anything, I wonder whether the maximum sentences prescribed are fully adequate for the worst type of incidents; that is, however, a matter for the legislature.”
Yoong had chosen to drive home after three consecutive drinking sessions on the night of March 23, 2023.
