ST 7 Oct 2009
RIS LOW FACES STRICTER RULES FOR PROBATION
Credit-card fraud review: New conditions include no shopping
unless family member is with her
A COURT yesterday laid down tougher new conditions that
dethroned beauty queen Ris Low, 19, has to comply with for the next
year-and-a-half.
Among the rules listed during a hearing to review her probation
over credit-card fraud was one that bars her from going shopping
unless she is accompanied by a family member.
Another is that she takes her medication for her bipolar
disorder regularly and continue with her treatment. Her mother is
tasked with overseeing this.
These conditions come on top of existing ones imposed on her in
May, when she was put on 24 months' supervised probation.
Since then, she has had to, among other things, observe a curfew
and be on her best behaviour, failing which her parents will lose
the $5,000 bond they posted to guarantee her good behaviour.
Low, crowned Miss Singapore World on July 31, had taken credit
cards belonging to seven people and used them to chalk up $8,000
worth of shopping and dining expenses last year.
The court spared her a jail term because of her psychiatric
condition.
The beauty queen, who first made headlines with her poor diction
in a Web television interview, landed in more controversy when news
of her probation for the crime came to light.
Debate raged over whether she should be allowed to keep her
title, until her decision last week to give it up.
Yesterday, it came up in court that an invigilator from the
Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS), where she is
studying for a diploma in hospitality and tourism, found two pieces
of revision notes in her pencil case during an examination in
August.
To her claim that she had forgotten to remove them, the MDIS
gave her a warning and has required her to retake the
examination.
Counsel Sng Kheng Huat, who disclosed this, said his client
would undertake to comply with the conditions in the probation
order and abide by all the extra ones imposed on her.
'She fully appreciates her condition. She is also aware of the
serious repercussions of the consequences of her actions,' he
said.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Jean Chan stressed to the court that
Low must be 'very serious' about rehabilitation during her
probation.
District Judge May Mesenas, picking up on this point, warned the
teenager that if she shoplifted, committed credit card fraud or any
other offence, she could be brought back to court and jailed.
Asked if she was prepared to follow the additional conditions,
Low replied 'Yes' softly.
Her parents, present with her in court, indicated that they were
prepared to help her comply with the conditions, including keeping
the probation officer updated on everything, 'even if it is not
favourable to Miss Low'.
Judge Mesenas also reminded Low to behave in school and to
complete her diploma on her own merit.
Low's probation will come up for another review in three months'
time.
ST 6 Oct 2009
HE'S NOT ALLOWED TO SHOP ALONE
A FORMER architect who was placed on three years' probation
yesterday will not be allowed to go shopping alone.
Whenever Chia Leng has to buy something, he must be accompanied
by a family member at all times.
This is one of the conditions placed on the 45-year-old who had
earlier admitted to six charges, mainly of theft. Thirteen other
charges were considered.
Chia, who is suffering from a major depressive disorder, has
been jailed four times previously for theft and once for cheating
in Hong Kong.
At the last hearing in August, the court was told that a long
prison sentence could worsen Chia's mental condition and hinder his
rehabilitation.
District Judge May Mesenas accepted the prosecution's request to
place Chia on 36 months' probation, instead of 24 months as
recommended by his probation officer.
Chia's elder brother, who was in court, signed a $5,000 bond to
ensure his brother's good behaviour.
The man's crime spree began in June 2006, when he asked to use
the mobile phone of a staff member at the GNC health supplements
store at Orchard Shopping Centre. Chia's excuse was that his own
phone's battery was low and he was waiting for an urgent
message.
He then fled with the $700 phone.
About a month later, he used the same tactic on an employee of
Simply Nails at Holland Shopping Centre.
In May 2007, he stole $2,000 from the wallet of an acquaintance
at a restaurant in Goodwood Park Hotel.
Between May last year and March this year, Chia shoplifted at
three stores, getting away with $492 worth of items.
Asked if he had anything to say yesterday, Chia said he was
confident of being cured of his depression and 'sickness'.
Judge Mesenas said a lot would depend on him.
'If you don't follow these conditions strictly and reoffend
during these three years, you know the consequences - you will be
brought back to court and you can be sent to prison for these
charges,' she told him.
...........idea, Intro them leh.
they get married then can go shopping tog3ther liao.
family member mah.
![img_1044](http://www.citynews.sg/wp-content/uploads/img_1044-200x300.jpg "Miss Singapore World Grand Finals At "Mystique III"")