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Jail for man who kept failing to pay for wellness services

Man having a massage (PHOTO: Getty Images)
Man having a massage (PHOTO: Getty Images)

SINGAPORE — A man who went for massage, beauty and hairdressing services but was unable to pay for them was jailed on Tuesday (11 May).

This was not the first time Raymond Kang Han Tiong – who was jailed for nine months, 237 days, and two weeks – reneged on payments for services he could not afford. Kang was previously given jail terms and corrective training for property-related offences.

The 40-year-old Singaporean pleaded guilty to four out of seven charges of cheating with the remaining charges taken into consideration for his sentencing.

In the later half of 2020, Kang began using various services but did not pay for them.

On 9 August last year, he boarded a taxi with a female friend at Chinatown without intending to pay the fare. After dropping off the woman at the first location, Kang arrived at his destination with the fare coming up to $31.50.

Kang told the 72-year-old cabby that he would proceed to his unit to take cash, but he did not return. He has not made restitution to this date.

On 13 September last year, Kang visited Ruby Beauty Centre at the behest of a staff member who approached him to promote the salon's services. He underwent a collagen recharge facial treatment worth $278, facial hair shaving for $138 and blackhead removal at $540 at the salon at Bencoolen Street.

When it was time to pay the $956 bill, Kang made excuses for his inability to pay, and claimed that he would pay for the services at another time. The beautician called the police. Kang has not made restitution.

On 4 October last year, Kang visited Yan Mei Shan at Jalan Sultan Plaza for a massage. He asked for a 60-minute foot massage with soaking and a 90-minute body massage with essential oils, costing $45 and $95 respectively.

When it was time to pay, Kang said he did not have money. Kang later called the police and texted them, saying that he did not have enough money to pay the masseuse and that the masseuse asked for his phone.

The next day, Kang's friend made the payment on his behalf.

After his massage, Kang visited Jane's Hair Salon at Geylang Road to have a $7 haircut, a $15 ear waxing service, and hair treatment worth $48.

After the services were rendered, Kang said that he had no money to pay. The hairdresser called the police.

Kang's lawyer Genesa Tan said that she was mindful of Kang's long criminal history, which dated back to 1998. Kang was given corrective training for cheating in 2010.

On 20 March 2019, Kang was jailed for two years and two months, and given an enhanced sentence of 125 days and a fine of $1,000 for offences with a similar modus operandi to his current offences.

Between April and August 2018, Kang patronised various KTV lounges and ordered various packages, deceiving them into thinking he could pay.

When it was time to pay, he would give excuses and call the police, telling them that he would pay the next day. However, he never paid for the services.

After Kang was released on remission for these offences on 30 July last year, he reoffended less than a month later.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Sean Koh said, "The accused is a recalcitrant offender who re-offended by committing offences of identical nature less than a month after he was conditionally released from prison. The implication of recidivism and defiance cannot be ignored in assessing the appropriate sentence in the interest of general and specific deterrence."

The prosecution asked for at least 10 months' jail, along with the enhanced term of 237 days, for Kang's breach of his remission order.

For cheating, Kang could have been jailed up to three years, or fined, or both, on each charge.

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