SINGAPORE: A 43-year-old man has been arrested for driving dangerously without a licence and biting a police officer while he was being detained, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said on Thursday (Jul 25).
Traffic police officers were conducting an operation on Wednesday at 1.40pm along Java Road, near Golden Mile Complex, when they directed the driver of a van to stop for checks.
However, the man sped off in a “dangerous manner” before stopping his van at the junction of Sims Way and Geylang Road to flee on foot. Officers gave chase and managed to stop him along Lorong 9 Geylang.
“While the officers were trying to detain the man, he bit one of the officers on his left forearm,” SPF said. “Despite his injury, the officer managed to subdue and arrest the man together with another officer.”
The 35-year-old officer who was bitten suffered a laceration on his left forearm. He was taken to the hospital and subsequently discharged with three days of medical leave, SPF said.
The suspect will be charged in court on Friday with dangerous driving, driving without a valid licence and voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from the discharge of his duty.
“The motorist showed a blatant disregard for the law by attacking and injuring the police officers who were performing their duties,” said Commander of Traffic Police Senior Assistant Commissioner Daniel Tan.
“He also endangered the safety of all other road users by driving dangerously and without a valid driving licence. He will bear the full brunt of his actions and will be dealt with severely in accordance with the law.”
“Police have zero tolerance for such brazen acts of violence against police officers and will not hesitate to take firm action,” added SPF.
“The Traffic Police also takes a serious view of motorists who drive in a manner that endangers their safety and that of other road users. Motorists who choose to flout traffic laws will be firmly dealt with.”
If found guilty of voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from the discharge of his duty, the man can be jailed for up to seven years, and fined or caned.
For dangerous driving, he faces a jail term of up to 12 months or a fine of up to S$5,000 (US$3,700), or both.
Driving without a valid driving licence is also punishable with imprisonment for up to three years, or a fine of up to S$10,000, or both.