A Singaporean man has been sentenced to five months in jail for his participation in motor insurance fraud. The sentence was shortened because the court took into account the man having seven dependents, with one daughter suffering from a life-threatening situation.
Rossly’s lawyer, Lee Mong Jen, asked the court to take into consideration her client’s family situation, as he has seven dependents, one of which, his daughter Auni, was born with a serious liver disorder known as biliary atresia. After accumulating hefty medical bills, Auni died before she even turned one year old. Shortly after her death, Rossly was recruited by Rahmat Mohd, the second-in-command of an auto insurance fraud ring, to participate in their scam.
Lee pleaded to the court for leniency, saying that Rossly was confronted by “exceptional circumstances” and in his grief and desperation, he fell prey to the temptation of a “lifeline” offered by Rahmat. She added that Rossly is the sole breadwinner for his family, with his wife, four surviving children, and his parents depending on him.
During sentencing, District Judge Low Wee Ping told Rossly: “I convey my sympathies for what you have gone through. You have committed an offence and you have to face the punishment. I hope you will be able to take ‘no-pay leave’ and that SMRT (will continue to employ you). I want to assure you that you could have faced a much higher sentence.”
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