Man Charged for Carrying Out ‘Loan Shark Duties’ During Circuit Breaker Period

Imagine living in a world where you could be arrested or charged for leaving your house.

Just kidding, this is that world.

It’s no secret that Circuit Breaker has greatly encouraged staying at home. In fact, you shouldn’t be out unless you really have to.

Still, maybe cabin fever hits hard for some and the urge to go out is hard to resist.

Just make sure you’re not out doing crimes.

Loan Shark Activity

Unfortunately, someone did exactly that.

Chua Jun Yong, 20, was charged with one count of breaking COVID-19 regulations.

He left his Bedok Reservoir Road flat between 12 am and 6 am on 9 April 2020 to go to Block 1, Holland Close, where he locked the gate of a flat with a bicycle lock.

He then proceeded to write the famous “O$P$” of the loan sharks on the wall of the lift landing, along with a name and contact number.

And what did this get him?

A total of eight charges, with three for loan shark harassment on 6 April and 9 April. He even got charged for driving the car for no insurance.

Previous Incidents

Hold onto your seats, we haven’t even gotten to do 6 April incidents.

Chua allegedly went to a flat at Tampines Street 86 and then to another flat in Hougang Avenue 4 at about 3 am.

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He carried on the usual “O$P$” affair along with the victim’s names and contact numbers on corridor walls.

Remember the above when he got charged for having no insurance? In this incident, Chua got charged without even having a driver’s license.

So normally the tale ends here, with him getting charged for all his crimes right?

Coming-Of-Age

If only it were that simple.

According to the judge, Chua will turn 21 next week.

Long story short, if he waits till next week, he’ll get the full charges like every other adult.

Any age below that you can still be considered young and be sent for probation or informative training.

Which still sucks, but slightly better than a jail term.

In fact, District Judge Lorraine Ho even encouraged him to seek legal help before next week. She even suggested that his lawyer could hasten the process.

Still, it can be pretty difficult to get a lawyer in a week. To this, Judge Lorraine responded to Chua’s concern.

“Then, you have to make a call whether you want to plead guilty first, let the community court judge (decide) if he wants to call for a report in view of your age, and see if the lawyer can be ready after the reports are out.”

In the end, she still tells him that she’s concerned if he didn’t take actions prior to turning 21. Nice person judge, but the law is the law.

Expensive Charges

Boy, are they big.

For leaving his house with a good excuse, Chua currently faces up to six months’ jail, a fine of up to S$10,000, or both.

He is also liable for caning.

For driving without the required licence, he can be jailed for up three years, fined up to S$10,000, or both, along with a potential driving ban.

That is a lot of punishment for such a young guy, but you do the crime, you do the time.

I think to stay at home and lepak is still the best option.

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