Some get 10 years, some just 9 months
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Torture the Iraqi convicts and get 10 years jail; Cause the death of a Singapore soldier during training at most 9 months jail nia.
THE FOUR commandos implicated in the dunking incident in which a trainee was
killed and another seriously hurt were yesterday sentenced to jail. Lieutenants Ng Chin Fong and Divanadhari Ambat Chandrasekharan were each sentenced to nine months in jail for causing the death of Second Sergeant Hu Enhuai,
and each received another nine months for injuring Captain Ho Wan Huo. Their jail terms will run concurrently. Both commandos, who had stuck their
fingers in the traineesÂ’ noses to stop them from holding their breath, were held more culpable than the other two convicted officers. Captain Pandiaraj Mayandi was sent to jail for three months for instigating the dunkings, while Warrant Officer S Balakrishnan received a two-month jail term for failing to stop them.
During combat survival training (CST) at Pulau Tekong in August 2003, Sgt Hu
drowned after he was dunked repeatedly in a tub of seawater. Cpt Ho survived but had to be warded in intensive care. Yesterday, the court was packed with
friends, family members and colleagues of the four convicted men. Former trainees shook hands with them and gave them hugs and reassuring pats. In his oral judgment, District Judge Ng Peng Hong said the two lieutenants had
subjected the “defenceless trainees” to treatment he deemed “shocking and senseless”. Their “torturous” and “inhumane” actions went beyond what was permitted.
As for the captain and warrant officer, DJ Ng said that by failing to do anything about the exercise, both men had exhibited callousness. The judge agreed with the prosecution that the manner in which the defence had been conducted must be considered in sentencing. Deputy Public Prosecutor Tan Wee Soon said the lieutenants had called a defence witness who implied the police and prosecution had withheld some photographs. They had also made a “spurious allegation” that the combat survival training lesson plan was nowhere to be found. In defending themselves, the officers had made allegations to bring “dishonour and disrepute” to the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
In their mitigation pleas, lawyers for the four commandos tendered testimonials and highlighted their clientsÂ’ contributions to the SAF.
The officers also said they were sorry for Sgt HuÂ’s death and Capt HoÂ’s injuries.
But Mr Selva Naidu, who acted for Capt Pandiaraj, also said: “If dunking is wrong in itself, then it must be observed that the dunking carried out in the 80th CST was a result of not only of Capt Pandiaraj’s briefing, but was also a result of systemic lapse.”
In turn, the prosecution noted that the captain had “a habit of blaming everyone else but himself”. Mr Alfonso Ang, who acts for Sgt Hu’s family, said: “The family has suffered much pain over Enhuai’s death and they hope to
overcome their grief as soon as possible. They now consider the matter closed.”
Capt Pandiaraj and Warrant Officer Balakrishnan, are appealing the judge’s decision. — -
Isn't there already a similar thread on this case in the same forum?Originally posted by sgboy2004:Torture the Iraqi convicts and get 10 years jail; Cause the death of a Singapore soldier during training at most 9 months jail nia.
THE FOUR commandos implicated in the dunking incident in which a trainee was
killed and another seriously hurt were yesterday sentenced to jail. Lieutenants Ng Chin Fong and Divanadhari Ambat Chandrasekharan were each sentenced to nine months in jail for causing the death of Second Sergeant Hu Enhuai,
and each received another nine months for injuring Captain Ho Wan Huo. Their jail terms will run concurrently. Both commandos, who had stuck their
fingers in the traineesÂ’ noses to stop them from holding their breath, were held more culpable than the other two convicted officers. Captain Pandiaraj Mayandi was sent to jail for three months for instigating the dunkings, while Warrant Officer S Balakrishnan received a two-month jail term for failing to stop them.
During combat survival training (CST) at Pulau Tekong in August 2003, Sgt Hu
drowned after he was dunked repeatedly in a tub of seawater. Cpt Ho survived but had to be warded in intensive care. Yesterday, the court was packed with
friends, family members and colleagues of the four convicted men. Former trainees shook hands with them and gave them hugs and reassuring pats. In his oral judgment, District Judge Ng Peng Hong said the two lieutenants had
subjected the “defenceless trainees” to treatment he deemed “shocking and senseless”. Their “torturous” and “inhumane” actions went beyond what was permitted.
As for the captain and warrant officer, DJ Ng said that by failing to do anything about the exercise, both men had exhibited callousness. The judge agreed with the prosecution that the manner in which the defence had been conducted must be considered in sentencing. Deputy Public Prosecutor Tan Wee Soon said the lieutenants had called a defence witness who implied the police and prosecution had withheld some photographs. They had also made a “spurious allegation” that the combat survival training lesson plan was nowhere to be found. In defending themselves, the officers had made allegations to bring “dishonour and disrepute” to the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
In their mitigation pleas, lawyers for the four commandos tendered testimonials and highlighted their clientsÂ’ contributions to the SAF.
The officers also said they were sorry for Sgt HuÂ’s death and Capt HoÂ’s injuries.
But Mr Selva Naidu, who acted for Capt Pandiaraj, also said: “If dunking is wrong in itself, then it must be observed that the dunking carried out in the 80th CST was a result of not only of Capt Pandiaraj’s briefing, but was also a result of systemic lapse.”
In turn, the prosecution noted that the captain had “a habit of blaming everyone else but himself”. Mr Alfonso Ang, who acts for Sgt Hu’s family, said: “The family has suffered much pain over Enhuai’s death and they hope to
overcome their grief as soon as possible. They now consider the matter closed.”
Capt Pandiaraj and Warrant Officer Balakrishnan, are appealing the judge’s decision. — -