Aug 13, 2010
Rugby teen fined $3,000
<!-- by line --> By Khushwant Singh
Chan had been found unsuitable for probation as he had a previous conviction for theft for which he served 15-months probation in 2008. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW
THE tension in a keenly contested rugby match between two schools spilled over to its supporters and resulted in Chan Yu Tat punching a pupil from the rival Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) on April 12. Chan, a former student of St Andrew's Secondary School (SAS) and now working as a part-time packer, was on Friday fined $3,000.
He had been found unsuitable for probation as he had a previous conviction for theft for which he served 15-months probation in 2008. He could have been subjected to the tougher reformative training regime but his lawyer Harold Seet Pek Hian convinced the court that Chan should be fined instead. The lawyer said that Chan had been provoked by insults from rival supporters at the bus stop along Thomson Road outside the old Police Academy.
The teen had also acted out of character by punching Keith Chia Ker Ren, 15, in the face and breaking his nose, the lawyer added. In reply, the police prosecutor said that the court should note that the attack occurred after the game and away from the field. A second similar charge against Chan for punching another ACS (I) boy also at the bus stop was taken into consideration by Community Court Judge Ng Peng Hong when passing sentence.
