Singapore van driver jailed 14 years for running over fellow dealer

A van driver in Singapore was sentenced to 14 years' jail on Wednesday for running over a fellow contraband cigarette dealer, after his charge was downgraded from attempted murder to voluntarily causing grievous hurt with a weapon. The 51-year-old Singaporean, Toh Sze Ee, struck 32-year-old Bangladeshi Hossen Selim along Kaki Bukit Avenue 5 on Mar 16, 2023. The victim fell into a coma and died in Bangladesh in February 2025. Prosecutors sought 14 to 14.5 years, citing serious injuries and Toh's culpability, while his defence argued for nine to 10 years. Justice Andre Maniam found Toh had a motive to hurt the victim, who he feared had implicated him in a Customs ambush. The judge noted Toh showed no remorse, did not cooperate with authorities, and refused to plead guilty to the amended charge. He imposed six months' jail in lieu of 12 strokes of the cane, as Toh is over 50.