SOURCE: The Straits Times
A CORPORATE chief executive serving a ban for a drink-driving conviction was yesterday jailed for six weeks for driving his company’s Ferrari.
Vincent Howe, 34, was also banned from driving for three years, and fined $1,400 for driving without insurance cover and failing to signal on the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) on Nov 3, 2010.
He is the chief executive of the Stag Group, which specialises in interior fit-outs and quality shop fittings for luxury brands in the retail industry.
He is appealing against the jail term and is out on $15,000 bail.
Two other charges were taken into consideration during his sentencing.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Norman Yew said Howe was given a two-year driving ban following a drink-driving conviction in February 2009.
While this ban was still in force on Nov 3 the following year, he left the office in his company car to pick up an overseas client from Ngee Ann City. They then had dinner at Chijmes, after which he drove the client to the airport.
After seeing the client off, Howe was driving on the extreme right lane of the PIE when he was pulled over by a Traffic Police officer for failing to signal when changing lanes.
Caught driving while under disqualification, he was placed under arrest.
Pleading for just a fine, his lawyer Derek Kang said the father of two has a psychiatric history of clinical depression stemming from a bipolar affective disorder. His condition worsened around 2009 amid marital problems – he drank heavily then to cope with depression.
The counsel added that Howe drove that evening as his driver was unavailable and his overseas client could not get a cab.
But DPP Yew sought a jail term, citing aggravating factors in the case.
He told District Judge Salina Ishak that Howe also went behind the wheel of another car – which The Straits Times found out was a Porsche – a day after he was disqualified from driving.
“It is clear the accused is a recalcitrant offender and has scant regard for public safety and traffic laws,” DPP Yew said.
For driving under disqualification, Howe could have been fined up to $10,000 and/or jailed for up to three years.
