SINGAPORE: New photographs were produced in court on Friday in the trial of a driver who crashed his car into a bus stop at Penang Road last May.

The photographs, which showed the scene where six people were injured, were taken by the police. Some of the photographs showed the height and condition of a kerb which the car had knocked into.

The driver at the centre of this case, Mr Wong Heng Chiang, is facing eight charges including drink driving.

In court, the prosecution asked the Investigating Officer to look at a set of photographs taken in mid-March 2008 and another set that was taken just two days ago. One of the photos showed a worn-out kerb.

After questioning by the defence, the Investigating Officer agreed the kerb was quite rough or sharp – in line with the defence's argument.

The prosecution then asked if the kerb had been patched or repaired. The officer replied that the kerb did not look like it had been reconstructed.

Mr Wong's lawyer, Subhas Anandan, said: "This has to be clear because if the kerb had sharp edges, it is possible for the tyre to burst or get punctured. That is why they had to go back and check."

Also in court on Friday was a doctor who had treated two of the injured victims when they arrived in hospital.

The court heard that when the doctor questioned the two patients about the accident, they allegedly told him that they had seen Mr Wong's car overturn. But the same victims told the court a different story.

The defence, however, said the case does not hinge on the conflicting evidence.

The case has been adjourned and will likely be heard again after July. In the meantime, the prosecution wants a forensic expert to examine the photos and produce a report.


- CNA/so