Jailed for passing off as narcotics officer

A man who committed a string of offences - from pretending to be a narcotics officer to assaulting others - was put behind bars for a total of two years on Thursday.

A court heard how, on Aug 18 last year, Zubir Mohamed, 31, was with two friends - including a police national serviceman - when they approached Ms Radiah Ahmad and asked if she had drugs for sale.

When she said no, Zubir became angry, claimed to be a Central Narcotics Bureau officer and searched her jacket and bag. He then took a necklace she was wearing.

He also asked his friend to flash his police security pass.

Apart from impersonating a public servant in this case, Zubir also admitted to two counts of hurting others grievously, and two counts of failing to report for a urine test.

The court heard that Zubir had been at a clinic in Bedok North with three friends - a man and two women - on June 15 last year when a fight broke out between his women friends and another woman, whose husband, Mr Lim Kwang Yong, intervened.

Zubir and his male friend then attacked Mr Lim, raining punches that left him with a fractured nose.

In the other assault offence, Zubir was with his friend, Mr Muhammad Shafiq Amirjan, at a coffee shop in New Upper Changi Road on April 9 this year when the latter's father saw them.

A quarrel broke out between Mr Muhammad Shafiq and his father, Mr Amirjan Zaina.

Zubir punched the father in the face repeatedly and the victim suffered a fractured lower jaw and had to be hospitalised. The court also heard that Zubir had failed to report for urine tests without a valid reason twice: on Dec 22 last year and Jan 12 this year.

In mitigation, Zubir said he has a mother who is wheelchair-bound and ill. He is the sole breadwinner, as his older brother and father are dead, and his second brother is not in contact with the family.

Noting that Zubir had been convicted in 2012 for similar offences, District Judge John Ng said his "violent nature" was worrying.

However, he said the court would like to give Zubir, who is single, another chance and told him not to "fool around" any more. "I believe your mother would like to see you get married and have children. You can't do these things if you don't change your ways," he added.

For impersonating a public servant, Zubir faced two years in jail, and a fine. For causing grievous hurt, he could have been jailed for up to 10 years, fined, caned or given a combination of the punishments.

nghuiwen@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on July 11, 2015.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.