SINGAPORE – A forfeiture hearing for a Maserati driver, whose car dragged a Traffic Police (TP) officer for more than 100m in 2017, has been adjourned to Feb 27.
This after his sister told the court on Wednesday that recalcitrant offender Lee Cheng Yan, 38, had pledged the car to their elderly parents and they were its de facto owners.
It was not said in court when Lee had allegedly pledged the vehicle to his parents. The value of the car was also not mentioned in court.
Lee, who was earlier convicted and sentenced over various offences, including driving while under disqualification, could have the luxury car forfeited to the state following the hearing in February.
Under the Road Traffic Act, in cases of repeat offenders convicted of driving while under disqualification, the court has to order the forfeiture of the vehicle when the prosecution applies for it.
Addressing the court on Wednesday, his sister said the family is supporting his two daughters in Japan.
Stressing they do not condone his offences, she said Lee had taken large loans from their parents to settle his legal fees.
His sister added Lee had pledged the car to them to repay his loans.
The sister also told District Judge Kamala Ponnampalam their mother had sold her jewellery to raise money to help Lee.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Timotheus Koh had asked for the adjournment so Lee and his sister could have more time to prepare their submissions on matters involving the possible forfeiture.
The DPP also said checks needed to be made to ascertain if there are credit companies linked to the purchase of the car.
When approached by The Straits Times later, his sister, who declined to be named, declined further comment.
Lee, who is now serving his jail sentence and is not represented by a lawyer, turned up in court in his purple prison outfit.
He was earlier dealt with in court over two sets of proceedings.