CJ allows appeal of cigarette smuggler against sentence and gives him fine instead

[ScoutTrooper]

CJ allows appeal of cigarette smuggler against sentence and gives him fine instead

Published on Aug 29, 2014 5:23 AM
By Ian Poh

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SINGAPORE - After considering financial difficulties faced by a cigarette smuggler, a district judge thought he would not be able to afford the fine for bringing 4.2kg of contraband into Singapore, and sentenced him to three months in jail instead.

But the offender appealed against the sentence four days later after he got in touch with his mother and realised she could foot the bill.

On Thursday, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon allowed 29-year-old Hii Ung Hung's appeal and fined him $26,794 instead.

Considering factors including how the Malaysian did not have a lawyer when he admitted to two offences, the judge noted it was an "unusual case" and the district court had not been mistaken in its decision on May 23.