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http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_773933.html
Drug addict spared caning after sex change in Thailand
Published on Mar 5, 2012
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Preeta Nivashani M Rechnam, who was sentenced to 7 years and 3 months with effect from 10 Dec 2011 for the consumption of a controlled drug. -- PHOTO: CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
By Khushwant Singh
A recalcitrant drug addict was spared caning as he is now a woman. A district court heard on Monday that Preeta Nivashani M. Rechnam underwent a sex change operation in Thailand in 2006.
The 40-year-old is now considered a woman and had been remanded in the Changi Women's Prison since Dec 10 last year, said Deputy Public Prosecutor Kenneth Wong.
She was sentenced on Monday to seven years and three months in jail for consuming Ice.
As Preeta had served the Long-Term Imprisonment 1 (LT1) sentence of five years and three strokes of the cane in 1998 for abusing morphine, she was liable for enhanced punishment as an LT2 offender. Addicts who return to consuming drugs after going through the level-one punishment, are jailed between seven and 13 years. Male offenders are also caned between six and 12 strokes.
Drug addict spared caning after sex change in Thailand
Published on Mar 5, 2012
Purchase this article for republication
Buy SPH photos

Preeta Nivashani M Rechnam, who was sentenced to 7 years and 3 months with effect from 10 Dec 2011 for the consumption of a controlled drug. -- PHOTO: CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
By Khushwant Singh
A recalcitrant drug addict was spared caning as he is now a woman. A district court heard on Monday that Preeta Nivashani M. Rechnam underwent a sex change operation in Thailand in 2006.
The 40-year-old is now considered a woman and had been remanded in the Changi Women's Prison since Dec 10 last year, said Deputy Public Prosecutor Kenneth Wong.
She was sentenced on Monday to seven years and three months in jail for consuming Ice.
As Preeta had served the Long-Term Imprisonment 1 (LT1) sentence of five years and three strokes of the cane in 1998 for abusing morphine, she was liable for enhanced punishment as an LT2 offender. Addicts who return to consuming drugs after going through the level-one punishment, are jailed between seven and 13 years. Male offenders are also caned between six and 12 strokes.