47 year-old Filipino Achilles Tomanpos Estremos had been drinking heavily at a bar along Neil Road on 1st May last year when he decided to head home in a taxi.
He boarded a taxi driven by taxi driver Sim Khng Huat 63, along South Bridge Road. As Mr Sim recalled, Estremos smelled strongly of alcohol.
After they arrived at Estremos' destination, the heavily intoxicated Singaporean permanent resident tried to hand Mr Sim a piece of paper to pay for the $7 fare. He also tried to pay by NETS but did not enter the correct PIN number for the transaction to be approved.
Not wanting to trouble himself any further, Mr Sim asked Estremos to alight so he could pick up other passengers. Estremos went into a rage and insisted that he had money to pay for the fare. He lay down on the backseat and kicked the side door several times before using an umbrella to hit the rear windscreen and side window. He also challenged Mr Sim to call the police.
When Mr Sim tried to make the call, Estremos grabbed the elderly man by the shoulder. Mr Sim eventually broke free and locked Estremos inside the taxi while another cabby stopped to help.
Estremos then climbed to the driver seat and released the handbrake, which caused the taxi to roll backwards and dent the other taxi parked behind. When the other driver went into his cab to reverse his taxi, Estremos again released the handbrake and dented the other taxi a second time. He was arrested on the scene by police shortly after.
For causing mischief, the court fined Estremos $6,000. Estremos has also compensated Comfort Transportation $2,280.
He could have been jailed up to 2 years and fined for causing loss or damage to the amount of $500 or upwards.
Editor's Note:
Do you have a story to share? Please use our submission form or email us at editorial@allsingaporestuff.com. If not, why not give us a 'Like'?