Aug 10, 2010
Warning on forged car plates
<!-- by line --> By Elena Chong
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THE High Court has sent a clear message to motorists that they can go to jail if they change their vehicle number plates. Justice V. K. Rajah warned of the serious consequences as he said this could lead to concealment of identity.
He made the comments during the hearing of an appeal against conviction brought by IT consultant Tan Wei Jin, 26, who was jailed for two weeks for displaying forged number plates on the front and back of his girlfriend's car at Anson Road on Jan 28. Justice Rajah thought that Tan's sentence was low for the offence, and asked his lawyer Andy Yeo if his client still wanted to proceed with the appeal. After speaking to his client during a short break, the lawyer said his client would withdraw the appeal.
Tan had been sentenced by a traffic court in May for displaying forged number plates on the front and back of his girlfriend's car at Anson Road on Jan 28. Tan , who was sentenced by a traffic court in May, was caught entering the ERP without the CashCard. The authority later found that the number plate was not in use. Further investigation showed that the car belonged to Tan's girlfriend.
Tan, who was not represented in the lower court, had said in mitigation that he was tailing his father whom he suspected of having an affair. But Justice Rajah said: 'I am afraid changing a number plate, whether tailing your father or somebody else, is not a good reason.'' Tan will begin his jail sentence on Sept 21. The maximum for the offence is a fine of up to $5,000 and/or a jail term of up to 12 months.
