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SINGAPORE: Singapore Democratic Party chief Chee Soon Juan has been sentenced to 12 days in prison for contempt of court. His sister, Chee Siok Chin, has to serve a 10-day jail term.
The sentences were handed down by High Court Judge Belinda Ang on Monday.
Lawyers said the sentences by the High Court are believed to be the longest jail terms for contempt of court in recent years.
The Chees' conduct during last week's three-day hearing to assess damages for Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew in a defamation case landed the siblings with jail time.
Justice Ang cited 15 instances where they disregarded the court's orders.
Chee Siok Chin's lawyer, M Ravi, argued in mitigation that she lacked an understanding of libel laws, the rules of cross-examination and was stressed during the highly-charged proceedings.
Many times in court, Justice Ang seemed frustrated at the roundabout manner in which the defence counsel was delivering his mitigation plea. In fact, at one point, she even chastised lawyer M Ravi, telling him not to go back to old grounds of argument.
Last Friday, Chee Soon Juan wanted to rope in veteran opposition leader JB Jeyaretnam to represent him.
But Mr Jeyaretnam on Monday asked the court for an adjournment as he said he had only received the court transcripts the previous day.
Justice Ang denied the adjournment and the case proceeded with Chee relieving Mr Jeyaretnam of counsel.
She then sentenced Chee to 12 days behind bars for eight incidences in which, she said, he had scandalised the court and impugned its dignity and authority.
Earlier Monday, his sister Chee Siok Chin was given a 10-day jail term. She was found guilty on Friday of seven incidences of slandering and impugning the dignity of the court.
Both are appealing against their conviction.
The Chees have till Wednesday to appeal or surrender themselves to the High Court on Thursday to serve their sentences. - CNA/ir/vm
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