Ex-Hwa Chong Teacher Sentenced To 9-Month Jail For Drug Abuse


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In trying times, it can be challenging to stay away from vices in hopes that it will alleviate the pain and sorrow.

Even for teachers.

Sentenced For Drug Usage

Christopher David Burge, a 67-year-old British man, pleaded guilty to drug usage and was sentenced to jail on 27 August.

Back in September 2018, Burge had been charged in court on the 22nd, following a house raid by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) on the 20th.

Officers found a packet of drugs on the table beside Burge’s bed according to court documents, and they also discovered a glass apparatus as well as three other pipes meant for intaking drugs.

The drugs were seized by the CNB, with Burge being arrested and taken in at CNB’s office in the Ang Mo Kio Police Divisional Headquarters at 11.20pm that day.

Burge was a former Hwa Chong Institution teacher who had been teaching in Singapore for more than 30 years.

Following his arrest in September 2018, it was reported that he was suspended from his duties, but it remains unclear if he is still employed by them now.

Took Drugs For Fun

Traces of ice, also known as methamphetamine or meth for short, were found in Burge’s blood after a series of toxicology tests. He admitted that he had taken the drugs on the morning of his arrest, as well as on 13 and 16 September.

Burge also admitted to having gotten the drugs from Mohamad Afiq Bin Mohamad Anuwar, who had been 19 at the time and serving his National Service. They first met on 12 September, only 10 days before he was found out.

He also said that he enjoyed taking meth and would probably not have stopped if he hadn’t been caught by the police.

Image: Tenor

He Had Experienced A Traumatic Accident

Back in Dec 2017, he caused an accident in the UK which caused his elderly father’s death.

At the time of the accident, his elderly father was in the car with him.

Following the incident, Burge had apparently suffered from psychiatric disorders such as insomnia and adjustment disorder and acted out of character, according to his defence lawyers.

He was still suffering from the disorders during the period of his drug-related activities at the time but is believed not to anymore.

Jail

Rebecca Wong, the Deputy Public Prosecutor, argued that Burge should serve a 14-month stint in jail, with eight months going towards offences of possessing and consuming drugs and the remaining six months for the possession of apparatus intended to consume drugs.


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She also stated that Burge was well aware that his acts were “both morally and legally wrong.”

The argument that he was seeking professional help following his arrest and that his former HCI students had shown support for him was also brought up.

Burge was sentenced to 9 months’ jail but he intends to appeal against his sentence.

For possessing and consuming drugs, he could have faced up to 10 years of jail time, a fine of up to $20,000, or both.