Taken from:
http://cna.asia/TALbli
SINGAPORE: Saddled with debt, a taxi driver became a loanshark
runner and ended up slapped with a total of 130 harassment and
robbery charges.
Melvin Ong Hwee Ann, 38, was sentenced to nine years' jail and
ordered to be given the maximum of 24 strokes of the cane on
Friday, after pleading guilty to 10 counts under the Moneylenders
Act and one count of armed robbery.
The remaining 119 charges were taken into
consideration.
In July 2012, Ong attempted to rob a woman, who was getting into
her car at a basement carpark of Tanglin Mall.
He threatened her with a fruit knife and demanded that she hand
over her money.
He also pointed his knife at the woman's 13-month-old son and
demanded that she drive him out of the carpark. Ong fled the scene
after noticing a security guard approaching.
On several occasions the following month, Ong defaced many
apartment units, while acting on the behalf of unlicensed
moneylenders.
The court heard that Ong borrowed money from them to fund his
gambling habit, and later agreed to work for them.
His acts of harassment included splashing paint, locking the gates
and scribbling on walls.
The offences took place at various blocks of flats, including some
in Woodlands, Jurong West and Teck Whye Lane.
- CNA/de