SINGAPORE – The driver of a Maserati accused of injuring a Traffic Police officer in a hit-and-run last week now faces a new charge of driving under disqualification, and is being investigated for illegal online gambling and unlicensed moneylending.

Lee Cheng Yan, 34, was hauled back to the dock on Friday (Nov 24), where the court was told he is in the midst of a nine-month driving suspension that took effect on July 4 this year. This disqualification, at least his third, stemmed from a traffic accident along Orchard Road last year, which led to a motorcyclist and his pillion rider being warded in hospital.

He was previously convicted of driving while he was under disqualification in 2001. Lee was sentenced to two months’ jail and banned from driving for 10 years – from Dec 2, 2001 to Dec 1, 2011 – at the time.

In the latest case, Lee is said to have reversed and accelerated his white supercar into Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Khairulanwar Abd Kahar when he got stopped for enforcement checks along Bedok Reservoir Road on the night of Nov 17. The 26-year-old policeman clung onto the driver’s door and was dragged for about 100m before falling off onto the road, charge sheets against Lee read. SSgt Khairulanwar suffered serious injuries as a result and had to be sent to Changi General Hospital for treatment.

Lee’s white Maserati was found at Cedar Avenue near Upper Aljunied Road later that night. Hours later, Lee was arrested in an HDB flat at Geylang Bahru Road.

The following day, he was charged with causing grievous hurt by committing a rash act. The punishment for this offence is up to four years’ jail and/or a fine of up to S$10,000.

If convicted again of driving under disqualification, Lee could face enhanced penalties, including a fine of between S$3,000 and S$10,000, jail of up to 12 months, as well as disqualification from driving for at least 12 months.

Lee returns to court on Friday afternoon.