MAXIMUM SENTENCE FOR DEATH CHARGE
Principal District Judge Toh Han Li said the facts of the case justified the maximum sentence for the charge of dangerous driving causing death.
Although Syafie stood to receive a 30 per cent sentencing discount under guidelines for pleading guilty, Judge Toh said the facts of the case were so egregious that he would allow a reduction of only 15 per cent.
There was still “value” in avoiding a trial and having multiple witnesses testify and relive the trauma “of that fateful day”, the judge said.
He also ordered three of Syafie’s sentences to run consecutively instead of two, citing the public interest and finding that the overall criminality of his conduct could not be adequately encompassed by just two consecutive sentences.
There were multiple victims, Judge Toh said, noting that the mother of the deceased student had suffered “greatly” and that other victims continued to bear emotional trauma from the deaths and injuries.
The damage caused by the collision was also so severe that normal traffic flow resumed only about 10 hours later, he said.
Syafie had pleaded guilty to three charges for dangerous driving causing death, causing grievous hurt and causing hurt. Other charges were considered in sentencing.
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