Man gets fine, ban for drink-driving to ex-girlfriend’s flat, kicking police car door
05 Jul 2021 05:14PM
(Updated: 27 Jan 2025 03:31PM)
SINGAPORE — A 27-year-old man was fined S$6,400 and banned from driving for two-and-a-half years on Monday (July 5) for his drunken actions when attempting to reconnect with his ex-girlfriend last year.
Maverick Neo Yongxiang, a Singaporean, pleaded guilty to one charge each of committing public nuisance, mischief and drink-driving.
Two other similar charges were taken into consideration for sentencing.
He had committed the offences on May 21 last year, during the circuit breaker period limiting movements and activities due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He did not face any Covid-19-related charges.
The court heard that he had drunk five to six cans of beer while at home in Punggol Central before deciding to look for his ex-girlfriend, now also aged 27.
Neo drove his father’s car to her place in Tampines, taking about 20 minutes to get there. He had at least 122mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, exceeding the prescribed limit of 80mg per 100ml.
At about 11.50pm, he made his way to her flat and knocked on the door, shouting for her. When her father was roused from sleep and answered the door, Neo demanded to see her.
The older man saw that he was drunk and told him she was not home, asking him to leave.
However, Neo continued knocking on the door and shouting loudly even when the other man had closed it.
Neo left and headed back to the car, but soon decided to try to meet his ex-girlfriend again. He mistakenly went to her neighbour’s flat and began banging and kicking the door, rousing the neighbour.
Neo then confronted him, demanding that his ex-girlfriend step out of the flat while hurling Hokkien vulgarities.
The neighbour closed the door and called the police, while Neo continued kicking the flat’s metal gate.
Two police officers who were sent to the scene observed that he was drunk and hostile, refusing to follow instructions. He was placed under arrest and necessary force was used, the court heard.
At about 12.30am, while the officers were escorting him to the police vehicle, he kicked the rear right passenger door.
He has since made full restitution of S$309 to repair the door, as well as another S$700 to repair the neighbour’s front gate and door.
Both the prosecution and defence sought fines, with Neo’s lawyer Sabrinder Singh saying he was remorseful and that the neighbour has since accepted an apology letter from Neo.
For committing public nuisance causing annoyance, he could have been jailed for up to three months or fined up to S$2,000, or punished with both.
He could also have been fined or jailed for up to two years, or both, for committing mischief.
Those convicted of drink-driving can be jailed for up to six months or fined up to S$5,000. Repeat offenders can receive up to double this punishment.
Source: TODAY
