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Former Director Jailed For Assaulting Private Car Driver While Drunk

2021-07-22 , 3:08 pm

What are some indicators to tell if someone is intoxicated?

Usually, a person’s behaviour or appearance would give it away quite easily.

Signs like slurred speech, crude behaviour, or difficulty maintaining balance are some examples.

More critically, alcohol is most commonly associated with increased aggression, anger and violence.

Former director jailed for assaulting private car driver

Andrew McKee Bowles, former managing director at an automation firm, was jailed for two weeks on Thursday (22 July). He was charged for assaulting a private-hire car driver while drunk.

The 50-year-old pleaded guilty to voluntarily causing hurt to Mr Ng Chee Siang.

Just so you know, an offender can be behind bars for up to three years and fined up to S$5,000.

Don’t say we never warn ah.

The Incident

On Aug 16 last year, Bowles attended a social gathering at Robertson Quay at around 2:30pm. He consumed alcoholic beverages.

Hours later in the evening, one of his friends realised that he appeared intoxicated.

One of his friends noticed that he was intoxicated at around 7pm.

The friend then booked a private hire vehicle to take Bowles home. He resides at Orange Grove Residences in Orange Grove Road.

Bowles nodded off in the rear passenger seat. Both men had no communication and did not interact with each other during the journey.

Upon arrival at the drop-off point at around 7:30pm, Bowles was still asleep.

According to The Straits Times, Deputy Public Prosecutor Kenny Yang said: “The vehicle’s automated rear sliding door opened and this roused the accused from his sleep. The accused mumbled incoherently and refused to get off the vehicle.”

The driver flashed the headlights of his car at the property’s security officer.

Why? To seek assistance on an uncooperative passenger of course.

Once the officer approached the car, he recognised Bowles as one of the residents there.

The Attack

At this point onwards, Bowles started to lean towards the driver’s seat. With his elbow, he decided to hit Mr Ng’s face.

Must have hurt real bad…

Both parties alighted from the vehicle. And if you think that episode ends there, well not quite.

Following suit to the elbow attack, the accused also tried to punch Mr Ng. Thankfully, he missed and fell onto a grass patch.

The security officer swiftly called the cops. Bowles was then taken home by his wife.

As for the victim, Mr Ng went to Khoo Tech Puat hospital. He was found to have tenderness in his jaw.

Bowles has since made more than S$200 in monetary compensation to him.

Not the first time private-hire drivers got assaulted

Just last month, a similar incident unfortunately occured.

A Singapore PR from Portugal was jailed three weeks for slapping and kicking a private-hire car driver.

The incident unfolded due to road rage.

Watch this video to know about what other dangers one would encounter as a private-hire driver: