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MRT train vandalised

G

Guile

Guest

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Swiss national Oliver Fricker, 32 hiding his face with a bag upon released from Changi Prison on June 7, 2010.
Now police in the famously-strict city say they think he may not have acted alone.


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"The identity of the accomplice has been established to be one Lloyd Dane Alexander...
Police have applied for a warrant of arrest which the... court has granted," the spokeswoman said.




 
G

Guile

Guest

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Police said Alexander left Singapore before the incident was reported to authorities on May 19 and they declined
to comment on local media reports that the British national may have flown to Hong Kong.


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Singapore's Straits Times has suggested that Fricker could be part of a group of underground graffiti artists targeting metro trains around the world.


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Vandalism is punishable by up to three years' jail or a maximum fine of 2,000 Singapore dollars,
plus three to eight strokes of a wooden cane, a punishment dating from British colonial rule.


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In addition to the vandalism charge, Fricker faces two years' jail or a fine of 1,000 dollars, or both, for trespassing into a protected area.
Singapore's vandalism laws became global news in 1994 when an American teenager, Michael Fay, was caned for damaging cars
and public property despite appeals for clemency from the US government.


 
S

Sakon Shima

Guest
Depot security beefed up


Jun 9, 2010
Depot security beefed up

<!-- by line --> By Maria Almenoar and Sujin Thomas & Bryan Toh
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The Changi depot is ringed by 3km of fencing - which prior to the breach, was already topped with three lines of barbed wire. -- PHOTO: AFP

<!-- story content : start --> THAT perimeter fence surrounding SMRT's train depot in Changi is being reinforced. On Wednesday, workers were seen laying coils of barbed wire around the base of the fence, to make it more difficult for intruders to trespass into the restricted area. The installation of concertina wire is one of several measures SMRT has said it would take following a break-in last month that shocked the public.

Vandals cut a hole in the fence and spray-painted graffiti on two carriages of a train. The breach was not discovered till at least two days later. Police believe that two foreigners - Swiss national Oliver Fricker and Briton Lloyd Dane Alexander - are responsible. The Changi depot is ringed by 3km of fencing - which prior to the breach, was already topped with three lines of barbed wire.

SMRT did not say where the hole was cut but a section of the fence facing Xilin Avenue had clearly been patched up.
Among other things, the train operator said it will add more closed-circuit televisions and increase the frequency of guard patrols at its depots. SMRT's other depots in Bishan and Ulu Pandan have similar perimeter security, a Straits Times check discovered.

Read the full report in Thursday's edition of The Straits Times.


 

wahlaneh

Alfrescian
Loyal
Re: Depot security beefed up


Jun 9, 2010
Depot security beefed up

<!-- by line --> By Maria Almenoar and Sujin Thomas & Bryan Toh
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The Changi depot is ringed by 3km of fencing - which prior to the breach, was already topped with three lines of barbed wire. -- PHOTO: AFP

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wahlaneh...
now looks more like maximum security prison fence liao.
maybe put electric currents on the fence better.:biggrin:
 

Yue Ying

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
Swiss in court over MRT graffiti


Jun 21, 2010
Swiss in court over MRT graffiti

<!-- by line --> By By Elena Chong, Court Correspondent

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Oliver Fricker, a business consultant, who allegedly spray- painted two MRT trains at Changi depot last month made a brief appearance in court on Monday. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW


A SWISS national who allegedly spray- painted two MRT trains at Changi depot last month made a brief appearance in court on Monday. Oliver Fricker, 32, a business consultant, is represented by Mr Derek Kang, who told the court that he would be making further representations. The lawyer was briefed more than a week ago. Fricker, who is out on $100,000 bail, appeared emotionless when he stood in the dock.

After the mention, defence and the prosecution led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Sharon Lim went before a pre-triai conference judge in chambers. The case will be mentioned in a district court on June 24. Fricker has been accused, together with Dane Alexander Lloyd, of vandalism by cutting the fence of the Changi depot between May 16 and 17. He is also said to have entered a protected place as well as sprayed paint on the two carriages of Singapore MRT, together with Lloyd also.

Lloyd, a Briton, has since left the country.
If convicted, Fricker faces a fine of up to $2,000 and/or a jail sentence of up to three years and caning of not less than three strokes on each vandalism charge. For entering a protected place, the maximum penalty is a fine of up to $1,000 and/or a jail term of up to two years.


 

Yue Ying

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
Graffiti case back in court


Jun 25, 2010
Graffiti case back in court

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Fricker, who is out on $100,000 bail, faces two vandalism charges and one of entering a protected place with Briton Dane Alexander Lloyd, who is at large. -- PHOTO: AFP


THE MRT spray-painting case against Swiss national Oliver Fricker has been postponed to Friday. The 32-year-old business consultant arrived in the Subordinate Courts on Thursday with his lawyer Derek Kang at about 4.40pm, and was mobbed by more than 20 cameramen and film crew from various news and wire agencies staking outside. The case was originally fixed in the afternoon for him to take a certain course.

After the prosecution and defence had seen the judge in chambers for five minutes, they left the packed courtroom. Fricker, who is out on $100,000 bail, faces two vandalism charges and one of entering a protected place with Briton Dane Alexander Lloyd, who is at large. He is said to have cut the fence of the MRT Changi depot between May 16 and 17; entered a protected place without a pass or permit; and spray-painted two carriages of a train belonging to SMRT.

 

chobolan

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
Fricker gets 5 months jail & 3 strokes of cane over vandalism charges


Fricker gets 5 months jail & 3 strokes of cane over vandalism charges
By Sona Remesh |
Posted: 25 June 2010 1843 hrs
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Oliver Fricker
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SINGAPORE : Swiss national Oliver Fricker has been sentenced to five months jail and three strokes of the cane.

The 32-year-old business consultant pleaded guilty to trespassing into the SMRT Changi Depot and spray-painting two train carriages.

A third vandalism charge for cutting the depot's fence was stood down.

Fricker committed the offences between May 16 and 17 with an alleged accomplice, identified as Dane Alexander Lloyd, a Briton who has since left Singapore.

The court was told Lloyd allegedly masterminded the plan, and had corresponded with a spray paint supplier before his arrival in Singapore on May 15.

The next day, the pair looked for a dimly-lit area of fence surrounding the depot and cut a hole in it. They then painted the two carriages nearest to the fence.

The case saw hours of mitigation and repeated delays in court.

Fricker's lawyer said his client had made a one-off mistake, while under the influence of alcohol.

He added the graffiti had not incited hatred, and left no lasting damage.

But the prosecution said Fricker's sentence should act as a general deterrent for the public.

Fricker's lawyer said his client had shown genuine remorse by cooperating fully with police. - CNA /ls



 

chobolan

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Asset
Swiss man pleads guilty to spraying graffiti on Singapore subway car, may be caned


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Swiss man pleads guilty to spraying graffiti on Singapore subway car, may be caned

Published June 25, 2010 | Associated Press
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SINGAPORE (AP) — A Swiss man pleaded guilty Friday to spray-painting graffiti on a Singapore subway car and could be caned as punishment. Oliver Fricker, 32, pleaded guilty to one count each of vandalism and trespassing for breaking into a train depot and drawing graffiti on a subway car on May 16. Prosecutors dropped a second vandalism charge but submitted it to the judge for consideration in Fricker's sentencing, which is scheduled for later Friday.

Fricker and his lawyer, Derek Kang, did not speak to reporters at the courthouse. Vandalism in Singapore carries a fine of up to 2,000 Singapore dollars ($1,437) or up to three years in jail, in addition to three to eight strokes of a cane. Singapore caned American teenager Michael Fey for vandalism in 1994 — ignoring pleas for leniency by then-President Bill Clinton — in a case that drew international attention to the country's harsh punishments.

Singapore reiterated a ban on the sale of chewing gum this year and announced a crackdown on littering last month. The city-state has one of the lowest violent crime rates and highest standards of living in the world.
Prosecutors said Fricker, who is free on SG$100,000 ($72,000) bail, committed the crimes with Lloyd Dane Alexander, a British national who is at large. Police issued an arrest warrant for Alexander, 29, earlier this month, and prosecutors said he fled to Hong Kong last month.

Fricker, who has worked in Singapore as an information technology consultant since 2008, and Alexander cut through a security fence and caused about SG$11,000 of damage by painting 'McKoy Banos' on a train car, prosecutors said. Prosecutors said their version of events was revealed through police investigations, but didn't specify how Fricker was identified.

Singapore's subway operator, SMRT Corp, apologized earlier this month for the incident, which led local media to question the city-state's preparedness against possible terrorist attacks. SMRT said it has beefed up security at train depots by adding razor wire to perimeter fences, more cameras and foot patrols by guards. SMRT didn't report the incident to police for two days because staff thought the brightly colored graffiti was an advertisement.



 

chobolan

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
Swiss gets 5 months, caning


Jun 25, 2010
Swiss gets 5 months, caning

<!-- by line --> By Elena Chong, Courts Correspondent
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Oliver Fricker was sentenced to five months jail and three strokes of the cane for breaking into a protected place and vandalising an SMRT train by spray-painting two of its carriages. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW

SWISS IT consultant Oliver Fricker, 32, was sentenced to five months jail and three strokes of the cane on Friday for breaking into a protected place and vandalising an SMRT train by spray-painting two of its carriages. He had earlier in the day pleaded guilty to committing the offences at MRT Changi depot between May 16 and 17 with his friend, Dane Alexander Lloyd, who has skipped town.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Sharon Lim said the pair came to know each other in Australia about three years ago, and had been keeping in touch occasionally through e-mail. Earlier this year, the 29-year-old Briton told Fricker he would be coming here for a visit. At the end of March, Lloyd e-mailed Mr Arman Alluwie, who sells spray paint in Singapore, to enquire if Ironlak spray paint was available here. He later ordered 11 cans from Mr Arman and requested that they be delivered on May 16.

That evening, the pair proceeded to SMRT Changi depot to reconnoiter the area and left shortly after because of the rain. Late that evening, both men, each carrying a small bag holding a few cans of spray paint, entered the depot after cutting a hole in the fence. Fricker sprayed the word McKoy on the left of the train carriage. The other word Banos was spray-painted on the right. Lloyd took some photographs of their work before they left through the gap. Fricker was arrested on May 25. The court heard that SMRT's estimated losses totalled about $11,000.



 

chobolan

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
MRT vandal to appeal sentence


MRT vandal to appeal sentence

05:55 AM Jul 03, 2010


<script type="text/javascript"> var fontIndex = 2; var fontSize = new Array('0.63em', '0.69em', '0.75em', '0.88em', '1em', '1.13em'); </script> SINGAPORE - Convicted Swiss vandal Oliver Fricker has filed an appeal against his sentence, his lawyer Derek Kang told Bloomberg News.

The 32-year-old was convicted last month after pleading guilty to spray painting two carriages of an MRT train with his accomplice, Briton Lloyd Dane Alexander.

Fricker, an IT consultant, also pleaded guilty to trespassing into the SMRT Changi Depot sometime between May 16 and 17.

Last week, the court heard details of how both men broke into the train depot after cutting holes in the fence, defacing a train and took photographs before leaving.

District Judge See Kee Oon sentenced Fricker to five months' jail and three strokes of the cane.

Singapore has issued a warrant of arrest for Alexander, 29.

He is at large and believed to be in Hong Kong.


 

chobolan

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Asset
Fricker's appeal adjourned


Aug 10, 2010

Fricker's appeal adjourned

By Elena Chong
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Fricker is appealing against his total jail sentence on the ground that it is manifestly excessive. -- PHOTO: REUTERS


THE appeal of Swiss national Oliver Fricker against his overall five-month jail sentence for vandalism and entering a protected place has been adjourned to Friday.

The 32-year-old's lawyer, Mr Derek Kang, sought more time from Justice V.K. Rajah to respond to a criminal motion filed by the prosecution last Tuesday to admit further evidence at the hearing. The additional evidence relates to Fricker's previous conviction many years ago.

Counsel said he had not enough time to prepare a response to the criminal motion and had written in earlier to adjourn the case till later this week.The prosecution is seeking to admit Fricker's conviction which was first brought up when he pleaded guilty in the lower court in June. The lawyer had disputed it.

Fricker, who now sports short hair and dressed in orange prison garb, is appealing against his total jail sentence on the ground that it is manifestly excessive. He was given three months and the minimum three strokes for spray-painting the two carriages of an MRT train at Changi Depot with Briton Dane Alexander Lloyd, 29, who is at large, between May 16 and 17.

For entering the MRT Changi Depot, he was sentenced to two months' jail. Both sentences are consecutive. The prosecution is also appealing against the overall jail sentence, particularly the two months imposed under the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act.


 
C

Cao Pi

Guest
'New evidence' surfaces


Aug 11, 2010


'New evidence' surfaces
Prosecution says it has proof of prior conviction back in Switzerland

<!-- by line --> By Elena Chong, Courts Correspondent
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Fricker was jailed three months and ordered to be caned three times for vandalism, and jailed an additional two months for entering a protected place. -- PHOTO: REUTERS


<!-- story content : start --> SWISS IT consultant Oliver Fricker had a conviction in Switzerland back home and the prosecution can prove it with new evidence. The claim surfaced in the High Court yesterday when both the prosecution and Fricker's lawyer, Mr Derek Kang, were in court to appeal against the five-month jail term given for trespassing into a train depot and vandalising an SMRT train there.

However, the prosecution's point might well be moot. In adjourning the hearing to Friday, Justice V.K. Rajah said: 'Under Swiss law, after a period has lapsed, convictions are not relevant.' Fricker was jailed three months and ordered to be caned three times for vandalism, and jailed an additional two months for entering a protected place.

A court is informed of a convict's previous brushes with the law after he is convicted. This helps the judge decide on the appropriate punishment. At the appeal hearing, Mr Kang will argue that the punishment was too harsh, but the prosecution feels otherwise.

Read the full story in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times.
[email protected]


 

chobolan

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Asset
Previous conviction allowed


Aug 13, 2010
Previous conviction allowed

<!-- by line --> By Elena Chong, Court Correspondent
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The High Court has allowed the prosecution's application to admit Swiss national Oliver Fricker's previous conviction. -- PHOTO: REUTERS


THE High Court has allowed the prosecution's application to admit Swiss national Oliver Fricker's previous conviction on Friday. The 32 year old had been placed on probation and fined 3000 Swiss francs (S$3,886) in 2001 back home for damaging public property.

He was given three months and the minimum three strokes for spray-painting the two carriages of an MRT train at Changi Depot with Briton Dane Alexander Lloyd, 29, who is at large, between May 16 and 17. For entering the MRT Changi Depot, he was sentenced to two months' jail.

Both sentences are consecutive.
The prosecution is also appealing against the overall jail sentence, particularly the two months imposed under the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act.


 

chowka

Alfrescian
Loyal
Longer jail term sought for Fricker


Longer jail term sought for Fricker

by Shaffiq Alkhatib
05:55 AM Aug 14, 2010

<script type="text/javascript"> var fontIndex = 2; var fontSize = new Array('0.63em', '0.69em', '0.75em', '0.88em', '1em', '1.13em'); </script> SINGAPORE - The prosecution has appealed to the High Court to either double or triple Swiss national Oliver Fricker's two-month jail term for trespassing. Deputy Senior State Counsel Kan Shuk Weng told the court on Friday that Fricker's current two-month sentence was manifestly inadequate.

Fricker, 32, pleaded guilty in June to trespassing into the SMRT Changi depot, a protected place. He was also sentenced to three months' jail and three strokes of the cane for vandalising two train carriages.

As the sentences are to run consecutively, Fricker will have to spend a total of five months behind bars.

However, Ms Kan told Justice V K Rajah that a jail term of between seven and nine months would be more appropriate.

In contrast, Fricker's lawyer, Mr Derek Kang, appealed for the sentence to run concurrently and a reduction in the overall sentence.

Mr Kang also said Fricker had given SMRT $3,600 to meet the cost of cleaning and repainting the carriages and investigating the case.

The court heard that Fricker had been convicted in his own country in 2001 for damaging property. He had committed the earlier offences between June 1998 and May 1999. He was on probation for two years and fined 3,000 Swiss francs or about $4,000.

The prosecution asked the court to admit the additional evidence, which Justice Rajah allowed. The court has adjourned to next Wednesday.


 

chobolan

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2 more months for vandal


Aug 18, 2010

2 more months for vandal

<!-- by line --> By Elena Chong
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Oliver Fricker at the Subordinate Courts. Fricker had his sentence extended by an additional 2 months after a prosecution appeal. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW


<!-- story content : start --> CONVICTED Swiss national Oliver Fricker will have to serve another two months jail for trespassing into a train depot. Justice V.K. Rajah on Wednesday allowed the prosecution's appeal against the two-month jail term imposed on this charge by doubling it. Fricker, whose appeal against sentence was dismissed, will now be jailed seven months plus the minimum three strokes of the cane for spray painting an MRT train and entering a protected place.

He had pleaded guilty to two offences committed with alleged accomplice Dane Alexander Lloyd, a 29-year-old Briton who is still at large. Under the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act, the maximum punishment is a fine of up to $1,000 and/or a jail term of up to two years. For vandalism, he could be fined up to $2,000 or jailed for up to three years with between three and eight strokes of the cane.

The Swiss IT consultant has a previous conviction back in his home country, and served two years' probation and paid a fine of 3,000 Swiss francs (S$3,900) for 'property damage (multiple incidents)' which he committed between June 1998 and May 1999.


 

chobolan

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Swiss vandal Fricker's jail term extended to 7 months


Swiss vandal Fricker's jail term extended to 7 months
By Imelda Saad |
Posted: 18 August 2010 1052 hrs
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Oliver Fricker at the Subordinate Court
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SINGAPORE: Swiss vandal Oliver Fricker has been slapped with two more months in jail for a total of seven months. This came after the Prosecution fought for a heavier sentence against Fricker for trespassing into the SMRT Changi Depot.

The 32-year-old also vandalised two train carriages. For breaking into a secured area and vandalising a train, Fricker was sentenced to five months' jail and three strokes of the cane in June.

The caning sentence remains. The additional two months meted out on Wednesday by the High Court are for trespassing. Explaining his decision, Justice VK Rajah said foreigners in Singapore are accorded many rights, privileges as well as courtesies by law.

In return, they must respect and observe the law. He said: "If and when foreigners contravene any laws, they cannot expect or claim special privileges or exemptions on the basis of their nationality or status as a foreigner."

And while the "laws of Singapore proscribing vandalising are indeed severe", Justice Rajah said these are the very laws that are largely "responsible for a clean and graffiti-free environment" as well as a low incidence of crime involving damage to public property and services.”

The Judge noted that Fricker knew that vandalism attracts stiff punishment in Singapore. He said the act cannot be considered a "momentary lapse of judgement" because Fricker was involved in the planning process with an alleged accomplice, Briton, Dane Alexandra Lloyd.

The Judge noted that Fricker had cut through a fence surrounding a protected place to commit an act which was meant to bring about "instant international notoriety". And this must be "unequivocally deplored" while like-minded offenders must be deterred from copycat offending.

He said: "After they committed the offences, they were immensely pleased with themselves. Proud of their handiwork, they took a number of photographs and they went off together to Hong Kong for a planned holiday before the Accused returned to Singapore. The judge said "it is conduct which is entirely unacceptable in Singapore, regardless of the artistic merit, or lack thereof, of the graffiti”.

Justice Rajah said had the Prosecution appealed against the sentence for the graffiti charge, he would have handed out a stiffer penalty. So, Fricker should "count himself fortunate that he has not received his just desserts in full". In court, Fricker was clean-cut, shaven head and dressed in prison overalls.

For most parts, he was expressionless when the judgement was delivered but there were times when he looked down and shook his head disapprovingly, especially when the Judge spoke of how his act of vandalism was planned and that he had done so to gain international fame.

Fricker's lawyer said his client was disappointed. Defence Lawyer Derek Kang said: "In particular, the view of the court that he had done this to gain international notoriety, that is simply not the case. This was never meant to be some kind of publicity stunt.

“When he and the accomplice went inside the train depot, they had no idea and they could not tell at all whether the train was even working because it's a storage and maintenance depot and furthermore, there was no way they could even tell whether it was going to run or was scheduled to run in the next couple of days.

“They also expected that the train staff would have spotted what they had sprayed anyway before the train left the depot, and cleaned it up. It's quite a heavy price my client has to pay for what was essentially a single foolish act that he decided upon in the afternoon before he and the accomplice went to commit the act but he's taking this maturely and he just wants to get on with his life".

On the additional evidence submitted by the Prosecution relating to Fricker's previous conviction in Switzerland, Justice Rajah said he could not give it much weight due to a lack of details and the fact that the offence was committed 12 years ago when Fricker was just 20 years old.

Fricker has no further right of appeal. - CNA/vm


 

chobolan

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Swiss vandal released from prison


Nov 16, 2010


Swiss vandal released from prison

Fricker out after spending less than five months in jail

By Teh Joo Lin

ST_18213733.jpg


Oliver Fricker, working with an accomplice, cut a hole in the fence of Changi depot and spray-painted graffiti on a train. -- ST FILE PHOTO

A SWISS IT consultant who broke into a depot and spray-painted graffiti on a train was released from prison yesterday morning. Oliver Fricker, 32, had been sentenced to seven months' jail and three strokes of the cane for trespassing and vandalising an SMRT train in mid-May. The unprecedented act was seen as a serious breach and sparked a review of the security of the public transport network.

Fricker spent less than five months in jail after he received a one-third remission for good behaviour. He left the Changi Prison Complex in a bus shortly after 8am. It is believed he was taken to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) building in Lavender for repatriation procedures, although it was not known last night if he had been deported to Switzerland.

It was also unclear whether he would be banned from re-entry in the future. An ICA spokesman said it cannot comment on individual cases for reasons of confidentiality. Fricker declined to be interviewed when a request was conveyed through the Swiss embassy.

Read the full story in The Straits Times today.
[email protected]


 

chobolan

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Swiss vandal flies home


Nov 16, 2010


MRT vandalism case

Swiss vandal flies home

A SWISS expatriate who was jailed and caned for spray-painting a Singapore metro train has flown home after serving his sentence, the Swiss embassy said on Tuesday. Oliver Fricker, a 32-year-old software consultant, was released from Changi Prison on Monday and quickly took a flight back to Switzerland, the embassy's deputy head of mission Peter Zimmerli told AFP.

Fricker was jailed in June for vandalism and trespass, and a high court judge in August extended his sentence from five to seven months following appeals from state prosecutors who felt the original jail term was lenient.

Prosecutors said Fricker broke into a train depot in May and spray-painted two carriages together with a 29-year-old Briton, Lloyd Dane Alexander, who is still wanted in Singapore after fleeing the city-state. The pair spray-painted the words 'McKoy' and 'Banos' - the signatures of two train vandals whose elaborate works are celebrated in YouTube videos and websites that regard graffiti as an art form. -- AFP


 

chobolan

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SMRT vandal met by cops


Nov 18, 2010


FRICKER SUSPECTED OF VANDALISM AT HOME

SMRT vandal met by cops

By Teh Joo Lin

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Fricker, 32, is now in police custody there. --ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW


SWISS national Oliver Fricker flew home to Switzerland on Tuesday, hours after he was released from Changi Prison - and straight into the arms of police waiting for him at Zurich Airport. Fricker, 32, is now in police custody there. A Swiss police spokesman told The Straits Times on Wednesday that Fricker is suspected of having vandalised several trains in Switzerland between 2002 and this year.

The cost of the damage ran up to about 200,000 Swiss francs ($260,000). He added that the vandalism on the Swiss trains bore similarities to that on the SMRT train which Fricker and an accomplice spray-painted in May. The SMRT train was scrawled with the words 'McKoy Banos' - the signature tag of two 'graffiti artists' believed to have spray-painted trains around the world.

Read the full story in Thursday's edition of The Straits Times.
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