CHAN CHOW CHUEN v PUBLIC PROSECUTOR

Case Significance

Chan Chow Chuen v Public Prosecutor [2024] SGHC 294 was decided by See Kee Oon JAD in the General Division of the High Court on 22 November 2024, with judgment reserved after a hearing on 10 October 2024. In Magistrate's Appeal No 9096 of 2023, the appellant Mr Chan Chow Chuen had pleaded guilty in the District Court to two charges under the Road Traffic Act 1961 (2020 Rev Ed): a drink driving charge under s 67(1)(b) punishable under s 67(1) read with s 67(2)(a), for which he was fined $5,000 (in default 20 days' imprisonment) and disqualified from all classes of driving licences for three years from 5 May 2023; and a careless driving charge under s 65(1)(b) punishable under s 65(5)(c) read with s 65(5)(a) and s 65(6)(i), for which he received five days' imprisonment and a 30-month disqualification from the date of release.

The case concerned Criminal Procedure and Sentencing principles and Road Traffic careless driving in the context of a "serious offender". Because the appellant was convicted of the drink driving charge together with the careless driving charge, he was a "serious offender" within the meaning of s 64(8) of the Road Traffic Act and subject to an enhanced punishment regime, with a maximum imprisonment term of 18 months and a maximum fine of $11,500. The appellant was represented by Gregory Vijayendran Ganesamoorthy and others of Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP, and the respondent by the Attorney-General's Chambers.