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Maserati hit-and-run driver being investigated for online gambling, moneylending offences

Maserati driver Lee Cheng Yan arriving at State Courts on 24 November 2017. Photo: Hannah Teoh/Yahoo News Singapore
Maserati driver Lee Cheng Yan arriving at State Courts on 24 November 2017. Photo: Hannah Teoh/Yahoo News Singapore

The Maserati driver who was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run accident that injured a Traffic Police (TP) officer is being investigated for online gambling and moneylending offences.

Lee Cheng Yan, 34, who appeared in the State Courts again on Friday (24 November), was given an additional charge of driving while under disqualification. Arriving in a police car wearing a black t-shirt and dark blue shorts, Lee hid his face behind a police officer’s shoulder to avoid being photographed by the media.

Lee was previously charged on 18 November for committing a rash act that caused grievous hurt to the TP officer in the accident along Bedok Reservoir Road on 17 November.

The TP officer had stopped and approached Lee’s white Maserati when Lee accelerated his car towards the officer and hit him, according to a statement by the Singapore Police Force. The officer suffered multiple injuries and was conveyed to hospital for treatment.

Lee, whose car was found abandoned at Cedar Road, was later arrested in an HDB flat in Geylang Bahru Road.

He could be facing more charges as the police are investigating him for online gambling and other traffic offences, according to the prosecution. The alleged offences only came to light while he was being remanded this week, the prosecution added.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Quek Jing Feng applied in court for Lee to be remanded for another week to assist in police investigations, including analysing Lee’s personal computer, mobile phone and DNA. The prosecution is concerned that if Lee were to be released, he might destroy evidence or influence potential witnesses.

But the defence team for Lee, who is represented by lawyers Tania Chin and Jeremy Pereira, argued against the prosecution’s request, saying that its concerns about Lee were “speculative”.

District Judge Tan Jen Tse granted the request for Lee to be remanded for another week.

Lee’s case will be mentioned again on 1 December.