Youth who drove into Customs officer while fleeing over contraband cigarettes given probation
Afraid that he would be caught with contraband cigarettes, he panicked and accelerated the car he was driving – hitting a Singapore Customs officer in the process.
As a result of 21-year-old Muhammad Irfan Rukaimi’s actions, the 40-year-old officer suffered a fractured knee.
At the State Courts on Thursday (17 January), Ifran was sentenced to 15 months’ probation after pleading guilty to one charge each of causing grievous hurt by a rash act and obstructing a Customs officer in November 2017.
Two counts of having unpaid-duty goods in his possession were taken into consideration for his sentencing.
Irfan, who is currently serving national service, had been previously fined $1,800 for underaged driving, driving without insurance and driving without consent when he was 17.
In passing his sentence, District Judge Ong Chin Rhu told him, “I hope you remember and take to mind that this lesson is a very costly one, not to you… but to (the officer) who suffered serious injuries.”
“You will never get a chance like this again in your life.”
As part of his probation conditions, Irfan will also have to complete 120 hours of community service as well as stay indoors between 10pm and 6am.
He is also prohibited from driving or operating vehicles while on probation outside of his national service duties. Irfan’s parents were also required to place a $5,000 bond to ensure Irfan’s good behaviour.
Illegal peddling at Yew Tee Industrial Estate
The offences took place at the Yew Tee Industrial Estate on 10 November 2017. At the time, four Customs officers were carrying out an operation in the area against contraband cigarette transactions.
Meanwhile, Irfan had driven to the area with his girlfriend to purchase contraband cigarettes from a peddler. At around midnight, Irfan was told by a peddler that his preferred brand of cigarette was unavailable. He began to drive off when he was approached by the Customs officers.
After identifying themselves, the officers asked Irfan to lower his window and allow them to inspect his vehicle. However, Irfan refused to comply with the officers’ request as he was afraid of being caught with contraband cigarettes.
Despite the officers surrounding him, Irfan panicked and accelerated his car forward in the direction of one of the officers, who was standing some two car lengths away. The officer tried to jump out of the way but the car struck his left knee.
The car then ran into a bicycle at the side of the road. Instead of stopping, Irfan continued to drive off.
The officer who was hit suffered from a kneecap fracture and was given 49 days of medical leave.
It is not clear how Irfan came to be arrested.
‘High propensity for rehabilitation’
The prosecution previously asked for 18 months’ jail but later sought a probation period of 24 months for Irfan after deeming him suitable for the latter sentence.
Irfan’s pro bono lawyer Shaneet Rai, had previously told the court that Irfan had a “high propensity for rehabilitation” and should not be exposed to the harsh prison environment and its negative influences.
“The imposition of an imprisonment term on Irfan will delay the completion of his National Service and hurt his future school and job prospects through a criminal record – essentially putting an end to his aspirations,” said Shaneet.
For causing grievous hurt by a rash act endangering the life or the personal safety of others, Irfan could have been jailed up to four years and fined a maximum $10,000. For obstructing a Customs officer, he could have been jailed 18 months and fined up to $10,000.
Related story:
Illegal cigarette buyer admits to driving car into Customs officer and injuring him
