After being caught drinking and driving, a guy attempted to bribe three traffic police officials with "coffee money" to let him go.
Han Shaolu, a citizen of China, did this so as not to miss his trip back to China the next day.
The 38-year-old was found guilty after a five-day trial on three counts of offering corruptly $100 in cash to cops in 2019. Monday he was sentenced to eight weeks in prison (July 18).
The prosecution, lead by Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Samuel Yap, eventually established that Han knew he was giving a bribe. During the trial, Han claimed that the money he presented was meant as payment for a fine, but it was later proven by the prosecution that he knew he was providing a bribe.
THE CASE According to court papers, the confrontation between Han and the police occurred on December 3, 2019, between 11:30 p.m. and 11:45 p.m. in an open-air car park on Geylang Lorong 31.
Han was driving a black Toyota Harrier when two cops, Senior Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Roslan Abdul Rasip and Sergeant (Sgt) Muhammad Shakir Lim Muhammad Sharizal Lim, arrived to investigate a probable instance of drunk driving.
After approaching Han, they were unable to connect with him since he responded to their English-language queries in Mandarin.
Sgt. Shakir returned to his police vehicle to collect a breathalyzer as SSgt. Roslan attempted to confront Han.
Han then removed his identity cards and two S$50 bills from his wallet and presented them to the cops.
Since they were unable to comprehend what Han was attempting to convey, they called Sgt. Lum Zheng Yao for assistance in translating.
During this exchange, Sgt. Lum learned from Han that the S$100 was an offer to the two officers to "let him off and give him a chance" and that "if S$100 is not sufficient, (Han) might increase it to S$150."
Assistant Superintendent (ASP) Tan Jia Ming, the team leader for the cops, was also alerted of the situation and proceeded to the parking lot.
ASP Tan then inquired if Han had offered money to the cops.
Han said that he did, but that it was a minor offense and he wanted to be released. He even offered ASP Tan the money.
Han argued that S$100, which he referred to as "kafei qian" or "coffee money" in Chinese, was not a bribe "since in China, the sum had to be in thousands of dollars before it could be called a bribe," according to court records.
ASP Tan said that even a 20-cent bribe would be deemed corrupt.
Han was ultimately apprehended. During the inquiry, it was discovered that Han was "in a rush to return to China the next day."
DPP Yap stated that Han had a "motivation to guarantee that his return to China was unimpeded by any continuing investigations, much less an arrest."
DPP Yap remarked, "When seen in this light, the accused's genuine intents at the relevant time become evident."
A person convicted of a corruption offense may face a fine of up to S$100,000, up to five years in prison, or both.
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