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SINGAPORE: National serviceman Corporal Dave Teo Ming, who stole a rifle and ammunition, has been sentenced to nine years and two months in jail, with 18 strokes of the cane.
The sentence, which came 10 months after his arrest in September last year, was for three charges - illegally possessing a stolen army rifle and live bullets, and for carrying a knife in a public place without lawful purpose.
According to the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Act, 20-year-old Teo is still liable for further disciplinary action by the SAF.
Teo was arrested at Orchard Cineleisure at 8pm on September 3 last year, 20 hours after he disappeared with the rifle and eight rounds of ammunition from Mandai Hill Camp while on guard duty. His actions sparked off one of the biggest man-hunts in Singapore.
In the High Court on Monday, the prosecution said Teo was going to use the rifle to shoot his then girlfriend Crystal, who had broken off with him.
Teo had also admitted to carrying a 40-centimetre knife on April 14 last year near Crystal's home.
Teo had said he was going crazy after he returned from Taiwan as his girlfriend had broken off with him, his grandmother was hospitalised and he had not received his pay for the past three months after he was released from the detention barracks. He had also said he owed a lot of people money and he had no way out.
Besides pressing for a deterrence sentence, the prosecution said servicemen must understand that firearms are handed to them for the sole purpose of national service. Exploiting the weapons for any criminal intent is a gross breach of trust and must mean severe punishment.
The prosecution also pointed out that Teo had cocked the rifle and loaded one round of ammunition into the firing chamber. That meant the rifle was ready for continuous fire.
The prosecution said this clearly showed Teo "flagrantly disregarded the danger of carrying a loaded rifle in a public place". The prosecution added that the offence was pre-meditated and so the sentence must reflect the severity of the offences.
The prosecution noted that it is "most apparent that the actions of the accused have tarnished the good reputation of the SAF".
In passing sentence, the judge told Teo that he hoped the 20-year-old will mature from this incident. The judge also encouraged Teo to continue his studies while in jail.
Teo's lawyer, K Mathialahan, said that "considering the circumstances, it's a reasonable sentence." Asked whether Teo would appeal against the sentence, the lawyer said: "I'm not sure, he still has time to consider."
Teo's friend, Ong Boon Jun, who did not report the NSman for possessing the rifle and bullets, had earlier been sentenced to six-and-a-half years' jail and six strokes of the cane. His appeal against the sentence was dismissed by the High Court in May this year.
Ong, a 22-year-old pimp, was charged with being in Teo's company when he had the illegal items. The two of them were together at the Champagne Hotel in Geylang. - CNA/ir
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