Ex-teacher jailed and fined over two accidents, one of which fractured driver's spine
A former teacher, who had taught at a British international school in Malaysia, was sentenced yesterday to 10 weeks' jail and a fine of $1,600 over two traffic incidents in Singapore.
A victim in one of the accidents, which occurred on the same day last year, suffered a spinal fracture.
Richard Alexander Cullen, 45, who worked in Marlborough College Malaysia in Johor, was also disqualified from driving all classes of vehicles here for five years after his release.
On Feb 25, the Briton pleaded guilty in a district court to three charges under the Road Traffic Act, including two counts of driving without reasonable consideration.
He was the first person to be dealt with in court for such offences after amendments were made to the law last year. Errant motorists now face stiffer penalties.
Under the changes to the Road Traffic Act passed in Parliament last July, the duration of the sentences now depends on the extent of harm caused by errant motorists.
Previously, first-time offenders who had driven without reasonable consideration could be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $1,000.
Now, a first-time offender who causes grievous hurt while driving in such a manner can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $5,000.
Cullen had entered Singapore via the Tuas Second Link on Nov 9 last year. He was driving a pick-up truck along Orchard Boulevard at around 9.15am the next day when the traffic lights turned red at the junction of Grange Road.
STRUCK
The vehicle struck the right rear portion of the private-hire car driven by Ms Tang Lee Lee, 52.
Ms Tang then stepped out of her car to ask for Cullen's particulars.
Instead of alighting, he drove off when the lights turned green. No one was injured in this accident.
The second accident happened about five minutes later as another motorist, Dr Caleb Leong, 32, was driving along Tanglin Road towards Orchard Road.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ashraf Hassan had told District Judge Lorraine Ho: "The defendant's motor pick-up suddenly veered and encroached into his lane by driving against the flow of traffic from the opposite direction at a high speed."
Dr Leong slammed on the brakes but Cullen's truck collided head-on with the car.
Dr Leong was taken to the Singapore General Hospital, where he was found to have a fracture in his spine. He was given 48 days of hospitalisation leave, the court heard.
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