![]() ![]() In response to the psychiatrist’s report, Deputy Public Prosecutors Hon Yi and Nicholas Khoo said that Ewe could have chosen to gamble within his means or borrow money from others. Ultimately, Justice Chan did not view this as a mitigating factor. took a life of its own and clouded his judgement, and that he did not see a way out but to indulge in gambling to stay afloat.” This was after he tried to use part of the money he had pocketed from Hewlett Packard to repay what he had taken from other companies.Įwe’s psychiatrist said in his report: “It appears his gambling addiction. It was only in July 2012 that his crimes came to light - after he confessed to an employee of one of his clients, technology company Hewlett Packard. He began placing S$150,000 bets, as he could not “get a kick” out of betting a few thousand dollars. He had worked as a dealer in Genting Highlands Resorts after completing secondary school in Penang, and continued doing so in Newcastle, England while studying accountancy.įrom February 2002, he began taking his clients’ money to feed his habit, settle debts or reinstate amounts he had pocketed.Įwe blew the money on cruise ships and the two Singapore casinos at Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands, and had to sell his apartment. This led to a lifelong affinity for gambling, which spiralled into an addiction when he began practising accountancy, the lawyer said. ![]() The lawyer had told the court in May that Ewe grew up in a gambling environment in Malaysia, helping his father to collect betting slips for his illegal operation from the age of six. Senior Counsel Khoo had sought 12 to 18 years’ jail, while prosecutors argued for a jail term of 30 years. “It is hoped that he will use this lifeline wisely, and use whatever time he has remaining (whether in prison or otherwise) to strive to make amends and reflect on the extreme gravity of his wrongdoing and the serious monetary harm he has caused to all the clients who had fully entrusted him with their monies,” Justice Chan noted.Įwe’s lawyer asked for his client to remain out on bail in the meantime, but Justice Chan rejected the request and ordered Ewe to begin serving his jail time. He also noted that with remission, the 65-year-old could be released before he dies. The judge took into account that Ewe cooperated fully with investigations, and had made restitution of S$17 million. The latter would attract the maximum 20 years’ imprisonment. Using those, he came up with a sentencing framework for cases of criminal breach of trust as an agent, covering amounts from a dollar to S$12 million. On Tuesday in the High Court, Justice Chan Seng Onn used graphs and charts to plot out past sentences for similar cases and to explain the reasoning behind his sentencing. ![]() Ewe had claimed trial to the charges solely on the argument that he was not entrusted with the money in the way of his business as an agent. On Tuesday (July 16), he was sentenced to 25 years and 10 months’ jail.Įwe Pang Kooi, a Malaysian and Singapore permanent resident, was found guilty in March of 50 charges of criminal breach of trust as an agent - the most aggravated form of the offence under the Penal Code, which can attract a life sentence.Įwe’s is the first such case since the landmark City Harvest Church ruling last year, which clarified that the offence of criminal breach of trust as an agent applies only to people who make a living by offering services as agents.Įwe’s lawyer, Senior Counsel Michael Khoo, told the court that he will appeal against the conviction and sentence. SINGAPORE - A certified public accountant and liquidator siphoned about S$41 million from various clients over a decade, all to feed his “insatiable appetite for gambling”. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |