Robber who fled to Thailand jailed for seven years

SINGAPORE: A robber who skipped town after he was charged with 49 counts of robbery and cheating offences has been sentenced to seven years’ jail and ordered to be given 24 strokes of the cane.

Chua Peng Hwee, 24, committed a string of robbery and other offences in 2006.

After he was charged in court, Chua fled to Thailand where he set up a family. He returned to Singapore in October last year.

Chua admitted to six counts of robbery of students with a 22—year—old accomplice, Kevin Woo Ming Yang, who has since been dealt with.

A total of 43 charges were taken into consideration for sentencing purposes.

In all, Chua stole items amounting to more than $16,000, of which about $700 had been recovered.

Court documents stated that Chua and Woo would bring along a chopper and knife, approach the students and accuse them of staring or causing hurt.

The pair would bring the victims to staircase landings before robbing them.

— CNA/de