Thief out on bail jailed for shoplifting, not wearing mask
A man who shoplifted from a 7-Eleven outlet while not wearing a mask was jailed for seven months and four weeks for various offences.
Singaporean Liao Yongsheng, 36, pleaded guilty to two charges of theft and not wearing a mask outdoors.
On May 10, Liao was not feeling well and left his Admiralty home around 7pm to see a doctor in Choa Chu Kang.
He was diagnosed with an acute respiratory infection as he was suffering from a cough and a sore throat.
He was issued with a five-day medical certificate, which also had a notice stating he had to wear a mask, and seek A&E (accident and emergency) treatment if his symptoms worsened.
If he did so, he would have to take private transport or a taxi with the windows down.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Tay Jia En said Liao did not head home immediately but went to Geylang to meet a friend to collect an amulet from him.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Liao, who took public transport from Choa Chu Kang to Geylang, did not wear a mask during the entire trip.
After roaming around Geylang, he went to the 7-Eleven outlet to steal a drink as he was thirsty.
At about 11pm, the sales assistant called the police over a case of shop theft.
Investigations revealed Liao had committed the above offences while out on bail for another theft offence.
DPP Tay sought for a total of at least nine months' jail, with a two-fold uplift from Liao's previous theft offence, arguing that Liao had re-offended within half a year of his release from prison last year.
He also argued that Liao had committed a serious breach and had a high culpability given that he suffered from symptoms associated with Covid-19, but had gone to a public area and travelled a substantial distance from the clinic.
DPP Tay said: "The accused has recklessly disregarded his potential to infect others during the breach."
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now