Longer jail term for boss who dumped injured worker by roadside

SINGAPORE: An employer who dumped his dying foreign worker by the roadside in June 2012 has been given an additional three months in jail, bringing his jail term to 12 months.

Tay Kok Eng, 56, was initially given a three month sentence for dumping the worker.

This sparked an appeal from the prosecution.

High Court Judge Lee Seiu Kin on Friday extended his sentence by another three months, saying that Tay had no basic human decency and deserved the maximum punishment of six months for dumping the worker, Mr Chelladurai Lenin.

Tay was also previously given a six month sentence in August for employing Mr Lenin between August 2009 and March 2010, bringing his total jail sentence to 12 months.

Mr Lenin was an illegal immigrant.

Tay was also fined S$12,000 for failing to ensure the safety of his worker.

Mr Lenin, 47, was changing ceiling lights at the lobby of a condominium in Seraya Road on March 30 2010 when he fell 2.8 metres from a wobbly ladder.

He sustained head and leg injuries.

The Indian national refused to be treated in a hospital as he was afraid that he would be deported.

Tay then brought him to two private clinics and called the worker’s friend to take him home.

Mr Lenin was later placed at the back of a van by Tay and driven to Upper Changi Road, where he was left by the roadside by his friend.

The foreign worker died later in a hospital from a fractured skull and haemorrhage.

— CNA/jc