Frenchman fined for riding motorbike at nearly twice drink-driving limit, using vulgarities
A 32-year-old sales executive who rode his motorcycle at nearly twice the drink-driving limit was on Wednesday (12 December) fined $4,000 and barred from driving for two years.
Julien Eric Marie Le Breton, a French national who holds a long-term visit pass, pleaded guilty to one charge each of drink driving and using abusive words on a motorist. One count of assault was considered in sentencing.
The court heard that Le Breton and his friends went to Wine Universe at Millenia Walk at about 6pm on 7 August. He drank two glasses of wine and three glasses of beer and stopped drinking at about 9pm. He left the place at 9.30pm on his motorbike to head home alone.
At about 10pm, along the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE) towards Clementi Avenue 6, Le Breton overtook another motorcyclist, Abdul Rasid Mohamed Hassan, 42.
Both motorcycles exited the AYE, rode towards Bukit Batok East Avenue 3, and came to a stop at a traffic light junction along Toh Tuck Road.
Le Breton got off his motorcycle and, without provocation, threw his name card at Rasid’s face and swung his right fist at him. The Frenchman also shouted and uttered expletives at him.
Rasid got off his motorcycle and noticed that Le Breton was reeking of alcohol. He walked over to Le Breton’s motorcycle and removed his ignition key, and then called the police.
Le Breton failed a breathalyser test conducted by police officers at the scene and was arrested. Another test at Jurong Police Division found his breath alcohol level was 66mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath, above the legal limit of 35mcg per 100ml.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Asoka Markandu asked for a $3,000 fine for the drink driving charge and a $1,000 fine for using abusive words. He also asked for a 24-month disqualification from driving.
Le Breton, who did not have a lawyer, said he had nothing to say when asked for his mitigation. In late July, he was fined $3,500 for using indecent or threatening words on a public servant.
The penalty for drink driving for a first conviction is a fine of between $1,000 and $5,000, or up to six months’ jail. The punishment for a second or subsequent conviction is a mandatory jail term of up to one year, and a fine of between $3,000 and $10,000.
The maximum penalty for using abusive words is a fine of up to $5,000 and up to six months’ jail.
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