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A TEENAGER was placed on 24 months' probation on Wednesday for burning his uncle's car at a multi-storey carpark with his accomplice.
Louis Hong Hsieh Shuen, 17, had pleaded guilty earlier to committing mischief by fire with Ho Ki Yeow, 17, at the Commonwealth Avenue carpark on Oct 24 last year. The damage caused to Mr Ernest Tan's car amounted to $40,500.
Ho has earlier been placed on 21 months' probation for the offence.
A court heard that Hong bore grudges against Mr Tan's wife over the inheritance left behind by his late father. Once while he was cycling around Commonwealth Avenue, he spotted Mr Tan and his wife coming out of the multi-storey carpark in a car.
He then decided to take revenge on the victim's wife by burning the car.
He roped in Ho.
On the evening of Oct 23, the two youths located Mr Tan's car and poured petrol on the bonnet before placing some charcoal on top of the petrol.Hong used a disposable lighter to ignite a face towel, passed it to Ho, who threw it onto the vehicle's bonnet, setting it aflame.
Another vehicle was also damaged but this charge was considered in his sentencing.
Hong was recommended for probation and reformative training. But Community Court Judge Eddy Tham said he was prepared to give him a chance. He also told Hong, represented by Mr Subhas Anandan, to treasure the opportunity given and ensure he did not commit any offence again.
Hong's mother, Teo Sew Eng, 53, who faces a charge of abetting him in the crime, and her sister were in court to sign a $5,000 bond to ensure his good behaviour.
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