K
Kanetsugu Naoe
Guest
Dec 30, 2010
Driver of hearse jailed, fined for drink-driving
By Khushwant Singh
AN OPERATIONS manager of a funeral services company, caught for drink-driving a hearse in January 2010, was found to be flouting a disqualification order for a drink-drive offence issued in April 2009.
On Thursday, Paramasivam Rajo pleaded guilty and was jailed for two months and fined a total of $7,100.
The other offences were driving without insurance coverage and taking the van without the owner's consent.
Paramasivam had been stopped at a police road block along Balestier Road at 12.10am on Jan 31.
Noticing his alcoholic breath, flushed face and blood-shot eyes, officers subjected him to a breathalyser test, which he failed.
A further test at the police station revealed that he had 60mg of alcohol in every 100ml of breath, far exceeding the prescribed limit of 35mg.
Investigations then revealed that his boss was unaware he had taken the hearse.
The court also heard that Paramasivam had been fined $3,000 and disqualified from driving all vehicles for two years in April last year for drink-drinking his car.
Defence counsel Rajan Supramaniam told The Straits Times that there was no body in the hearse when Paramasivam was driving it.
