ODD-JOB worker Vikkinesparan Krishnan, 45, recently diagnosed with HIV, was sentenced to a total of 5 1/2 years' jail and eight strokes of the cane on Tuesday for drug offences.

He had earlier pleaded guilty to selling two straws of heroin to an undercover Central Narcotics Bureau officer for $70 at Balestier Road on April 2.He also admitted to taking morphine.

A specialist medical report states that there is no indication yet of Vikkinesparan being terminally ill. He could have been jailed for up to 20 years and given 10 strokes of the cane for drug trafficking.

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