CRIME

PENALTIES

Housebreaking :

-         gaining entry through 

        unoccupied house/shop

-         forcing open windows,

    grilles gates or doors

-         cutting padlocks, iron grilles or wire ,mesh

A person convicted of housebreaking and theft by day is liable to :

- a jail term of not less than 18 months and not

  more than 10 years and

- a fine

A person convicted of housebreaking and theft by day is liable to :

- a jail term of not less than 2 years and not

  more than 14 years and

- a fine

An example extract from a newspaper article

He will be charged in the Subordinate Court for offence of Housebreaking and Theft by night. If convicted, the offender faces a jail term which may extend to a maximum of 14 years imprisonment and shall be liable for caning.

Robbery in Homes

-         confronting victims who are about to enter or leave the homes

-         gaining entry into homes on the pretext of looking for someone, delivering goods, using toilet/telephone

Robbery in Lifts/Streets

-         victims are often robbed in lifts when they are alone with the robber

-         victims are lured to secluded places and robbed for their valuables

-         approaching victims on the pretext of asking for road directions and etc

-         picking on victims who wear expensive jewellery or carry large sum of cash

A person convicted of robbery is liable to :

- a jail term of not less than 2 years and not

   more than 14 years and

- caning of not less than 12 strokes

An example extracted from a newspaper article

The suspect will be charged in court on 14 March 2008 for Robbery under Section 390 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224. If convicted, he faces a jail term of not less than 2 years and not more than 10 years with caning not less than 6 strokes.

A person convicted of robbery with hurt is liable to :

- a jail term of not less than 5 years and not

   more than 20 years and

- caning of not less than 12 strokes

An example extracted from a newspaper article

The duo will be charged in Court for Robbery with Hurt. If convicted, they may be jailed up to 20 years and caned not less than 12 strokes.

A person convicted of armed robbery is liable to :

- a jail term of not less than 5 years and not

   more than 20 years and

- caning of not less than 12 strokes

An example extract from a newspaper article

The 25-year-old Chinese Singaporean will be charged in the Subordinate Court for Armed Robbery. If convicted, he faces a sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment and up to 24 strokes of the cane.

Snatch Theft

-         approaching a victim on the pretext of striking up a conversation or seeking assistance

-         snatching the handbag/necklace from behind the victim

A person convicted of snatch theft is liable to :

- a jail term which may extend to 3 years or

- a fine or

- both

An example extract from a newspaper article

The suspect will be charged in Court for Snatch Theft. If convicted, he faces a jail term of up to 7 years and shall be liable to caning.

A person convicted of theft with assault or criminal force is liable to :

- a jail term of not less than 1 year and not more

  than 7 years and

- caning

A person convicted of theft in dwelling (shoplifting) is liable to :

- a jail term which may extend to 7 years and

- a fine

An example extracted from a newspaper article

The three will be charged in court tomorrow for two counts of Theft from Person which, on conviction carries a jail term of up to 3 years, or a fine, or both.

Kidnapped

The four suspects will be charged in Court on 16 March 2006 , with Kidnapping for ransom under Section 3 of the Kidnapping Act. If found guilty, they may face life imprisonment and caning, or the death penalty.

Pickpocket

Pickpockets target at people in crowds who carry cash in public

Do not display excessive cash in the public as this might draw unnecessary attention, instead use NETS & ATM cards for cashless transactions where possible.

Pickpockets deliberately bump into an unsuspecting person in a crowd. Check your wallets, handbag and valuables immediately if someone bumps into you unnecessarily.

They create a commotion in public to distract everybody's attention while picking on pockets.

Be on guard and alert for various scams and confidence trickster that would take place while you are doing banking at an ATM or after a transaction out from the bank.

Do not doze off in the bus or MRT train and leave your belongings unattended.

Do not be distracted by strangers creating a commotion or accidentally spilling something on you. Be wary of such situations.

Punishment

A person convicted of pickpocket is liable to:

a jail term which may extend to 3 years; or
a fine; or both.

The best advise is to remain alert and aware of your surroundings.

Mischief by Fire

Offenders of mischief by fire can be charged under section 435 (causing damage to any property to the amount of $50 or upwards) of the Penal Code and sentence to a maximun of 7 years' imprisonment. They are also liable for a fine.

Motor Vehichle Theft

Tampering with the doors and windows of the car.

Tampering with the keyhole.

Smashing the windows or windscreen.

Using an ignition key of another vehicle.

Using a piece of metal strip or tools to force open car doors.

A person convicted of motor vehicle theft is liable to:

a jail term of not less than 1 year and not more than 7 years;

a fine; and

disqualifed from holding or obtaining a driving licence for a period of not less than 3 years from the date of release from imprisonment.

Outrage of Modesty

Young girls have been molested or raped on their first date by people they had met on the IRC or through telephone chatlines.

At lifts, corridors, dark and lonely places.

On public transport, e.g. buses, MRT trains, etc.

Crowded places, e.g. rock concerts, star performances, etc.

A person convicted of outrage of modesty is liable to:

a jail term of up to 2 years; or

a fine; or

caning ;or

any two of such punishments.

A person convicted of voluntarily causing or attempting to cause death, hurt or wrongful restraint in order to commit outrage of modesty is liable to:

a jail term of not less than 2 years and not more than 10 years; and

caning.

A person convicted of the offence committed in a lift or against any person under 14 years of age is liable to :

a jail term of not less than 3 years and not more than 10 years; and

caning.