Man faces jail time, driving ban for stealing SUV

SINGAPORE: A man who stole a luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) and drove it to Ipoh, Malaysia was sentenced to 14 months’ jail and banned from driving for 18 months.

Philip Lim Chee Shong, a Malaysian, was convicted of stealing a Volvo XC90 valued at S$76,000 on 10 January 2012.

Before he stole the SUV, Lim had become upset after a tiff with his wife.

Lim had sent his friend home at Southaven condominium and noticed the SUV at the condominium’s basement car park.

He realised that the keys were in the driver’s armrest and decided to drive it to Malaysia for fun.

Lim drove for about six hours to his house in Ipoh.

On his way there, he threw away two child car seats and documents that were in the vehicle.

Lim continued to drive the SUV in Ipoh until some time in February when he got into an accident in the stolen car.

He then sent it for repair at a car workshop in Ipoh.

A few days later, in late February, Lim took a bus back to Singapore to retrieve his own car which was still parked at the condominium car park.

In delivering his judgement, District Judge Eddy Tham said this was more than a joy ride.

He said the accused did not learn from his previous antecedent which was also theft.

While the judge noted that it was a spur of the moment act and not premeditated, he dismissed the mitigation that Lim committed his offence as he had an argument with his wife prior to incident.

Lim could have been jailed a maximum of seven years and fined.

— CNA/ck