SINGAPORE, Feb 10 — Two more Indian nationals were sent behind bars today for their involvement in the Little India riot in December 2013.
Rajendran Mohan, 26, was given 27 months’ jail for rioting and committing an offence of mischief against a motorbus. He pleaded guilty today.
Co-accused Sathiyamoorthy Sivaraman, 27, who pleaded guilty last September, was sentenced to 25 months’ imprisonment.
District Judge Ong Hian Sun was not persuaded the sentencing threshold for caning had been crossed in both cases.
A district court heard that Rajendran was heading back to his dormitory after drinks with friend on December 8, 2013 when he noticed a police vehicle ablaze in the middle of Race Course Road. Another police vehicle had overturned and a large group of South Asians were gathered in the vicinity.
At about 10.50pm, Rajendran joined a group of at least five others in committing violence against a motorbus on the road, by throwing objects such as a plastic crate at it, inserting lighted objects in the fuel inlet.
He also tried, in futility, to topple the bus by kicking and pushing it, before cajoling others in the unlawful assembly to join him, the court heard.
Rajendran was arrested at the scene and his acts identified through footage captured by the CCTV camera mounted on the side of the bus.
Calling for a deterrent sentence, Deputy Public Prosecutor Santhra Aiyyasany said Rajendran had a clear intention to burn the bus and persistent disregard for authority.
While the prosecution pressed for a significant custodial term of 30 to 36 months’ jail and three strokes of the cane, Justice Ong was not persuaded that Rajendran’s acts of mischief was more egregious than several of his co-accused to warrant caning.
The maximum penalty for rioting is a jail term of seven years and caning.
A total of 23 emergency vehicles were damaged during the December 2013 riot and more than 50 officers were hurt. Of the 25 people charged, only one has yet to be dealt with. — Today
