S’pore closer to extraditing alleged StanChart robber
Canadian sought for allegedly robbing StanChart branch in 2016
Singapore has cleared another legal hurdle to extradite Canadian national David James Roach, 28, to face charges for allegedly robbing the Holland Village branch of Standard Chartered Bank in 2016.
In a hearing in London yesterday, the Westminster Magistrates' Court said the requirements for Singapore's extradition request for Roach have been met.
The case has been sent to Britain's Secretary of State for a decision on whether Roach is to be extradited, said a statement from Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Attorney-General's Chambers last night.
"The Singapore authorities are working closely with the UK authorities on the next steps in this matter," added the statement.
Singapore has an extradition arrangement with Britain. According to Britain's Extradition Act, Roach can appeal to a higher court, said National University of Singapore law professor A. Kumaralingam.
The appeal must be made within four weeks.
According to the Act, the Secretary of State must make a decision within two months. And unless there is an appeal, the person must be extradited within 28 days of the extradition order. If Roach is extradited to Singapore, he will face charges for the July 7, 2016, robbery, where he allegedly handed the bank teller a note with his demands, then fled to Bangkok with the money the same day. He was arrested at a backpacker's hostel three days later and was held in remand in Bangkok.
He has been held in Britain since Jan 11, after British authorities arrested him in London when Singapore made a request. Roach was being deported from Bangkok to Canada after serving a 14-month sentence in Thailand for violating money laundering and customs laws. He was in transit in London when he was detained.
He carried more than US$20,000 (S$26,000), believed to be from the robbery, when he entered Thailand.
In February, Roach had attempted to contest his extradition to Singapore in the London court. Later that month, Singapore gave assurance to Britain that Roach would not be caned even if he is convicted of robbery, a crime that carries mandatory caning here.
The MHA earlier said the assurance was necessary or British authorities would not have permitted the extradition. It added the assurance "does not mean a compromise of our sovereignty. Rather, it reflects that countries have differing views on crime and punishment".
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