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AGC, SPF working with UK authorities to extradite StanChart robbery suspect

David James Roach allegedly made off with $30,000 from a StanChart branch on 7 July 2016. PHOTO: Nation TV
David James Roach allegedly made off with $30,000 from a StanChart branch on 7 July 2016. PHOTO: Nation TV

SINGAPORE — The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) are working with British authorities to extradite the man who allegedly pulled off the robbery of a Standard Chartered bank branch at Holland Village in 2016.

Media reports on Wednesday (12 February) said that Canadian David James Roach had last week failed in his appeal to the UK High Court against his extradition to Singapore. The UK Secretary of State issued the extradition order against him in October 2018.

In a joint news release on Thursday, the AGC and police said, “The Singapore authorities will do whatever is necessary and permissible within our legal framework to seek justice against those who commit crimes in Singapore, regardless of nationality and where they might have fled to.

“We will also not hesitate to take firm action against these individuals, and will seek an appropriate sentence if they are convicted.

“The Attorney-General’s Chambers continues to work with the UK authorities on the final stages of Roach’s extradition to Singapore to face charges of robbery and money laundering. The Singapore Police Force is also working closely with the UK authorities to ensure that the extradition process is smooth and coordinated.”

About the case

On the morning of 7 July 2016, Roach allegedly made off with $30,000 from the StanChart branch after he handed over a note to a bank teller. No weapon was used in the robbery.

He fled to Bangkok and was found at the Boxpackers hostel in the Petchaburi area three days later. He was then held at an immigration detention centre.

The Thai authorities rejected Singapore’s requests for him to be sent back here, as there is no extradition treaty between the two countries.

Roach was deported from Thailand on 11 January 2018 after completing a 14-month jail term for failing to declare the large amount of money he had when entering the country.

He subsequently arrived in London, and was detained by the UK at Singapore’s request.

The Republic sought his extradition on charges of robbery and money laundering. The two countries have an extradition treaty.

The next month, Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs said the government had acceded to the UK’s request not to carry out caning on Roach if he is found guilty of robbery.

UK extradition laws prohibit the country from extraditing suspects without an assurance that corporal or capital punishment will not be carried out.

The punishment for robbery is a jail term of between two and 10 years, with a mandatory minimum of six strokes of the cane.

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