Foreigners charged over abuse of S'porean cabbies

Foreigners charged over abuse of S'porean cabbies

ThreeCaucasians who were allegedly involved in hurting four people at Suntec City in Singaporeover a year ago were charged in court on Thursday.The trio wasreportedly drunk when they abused two taxi drivers, two taxi passengers and also hijacked and then crashed a taxi in the early hours on April 11, reported The Straits Times.New Zealander Robert Stephen Dahlberg, 34, and Australian Nathan Robert Miller, 35, face two charges each, and Briton Robert James Springall, 24, faces three charges.Dahlberg, an options broker here, is accused of hurting businessman Laurence Wong Seong, 38.He is also alleged to have caused grevious hurt to Paul Louis Liew Kai Ming, 26, by pushing him against a pillar.Liew suffered from a gash on his forehead and a broken nose.According to The Straits Times, Liew and his friend, Lawrence Wong Seong and jos26-year-old girlfriend, had just left Balaclava pub, which was then at Suntec City, and were being picked up by cabby Tay Gek Heng, 45.

Miller, believed to be an exectuive, allegedly punched Tay in the face and jumped on the taxi bonnet, while Springall, also an options broker here, is said to have shoved another taxi driver Tan Boon Kin, 57.Springall also forcibly took over the cab, drove it in an inconsiderate manner and crashed it into a signage pole on the driveway near Starbucks.Springall and Miller are out on bail of $6,000 (RM14,700) to $10,000 (RM24,500), while Dahlberg, whose next court date is late next month, has had his bail raised to $25,000 (RM61,000).Dahlberg has also been given permission to travel to London and Hong Kong from Monday until July 29, but he is to surrender his passport to the police on August 1.Springall's case will be mentioned again on August 11 and Miller's next court date will be next Thursday.Dahlberg and Miller are represented by Mr Sunil Sudheesan of RHT! Law and Springall is represented by lawyer Lee Teck Leng.The maximum penalty for causing grievous hurt is 10 years' jail, and a fine or caning.Source: Asiaone
PublishedJuly 8 2011