Cop charged with accepting $35,000 in bribes

A police officer was charged in the State Courts yesterday with allegedly receiving bribes and betting illegally.

Staff Sergeant Woo Poh Liang, 28, faced two counts for offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

He is said to have received $35,000 from one Beltran Angelo Salvador, in return for helping him avoid prosecution for offences of insulting modesty.

Woo, who joined the Singapore Police Force in 2008, allegedly received $25,000 from Salvador at a taxi stand near Outram Park MRT around Sept 17 last year.

He also allegedly obtained $10,000 from Salvador inside an interview room at Clementi Police Division on the same day.Woo was also accused of committing 18 offences of illegally placing bets between May and July last year.

About $27,500 was wagered on illegal 4D, Toto and Fifa 2014 World Cup matches.

Court documents showed the largest bet allegedly placed by Woo was $9,500 on June 25 last year.

Yesterday, Woo, who has been interdicted from service since Jan 29 this year, asked the judge to lower the bail amount from $35,000.

He reasoned that he had cooperated with investigations and was a "low flight risk" as his family members are all in Singapore.

Woo's bail was then set at $30,000. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for Oct 22.

If convicted under the Prevention of Corruption Act, Woo can be fined up to $100,000 or jailed a maximum of five years, or both.

Under the Betting Act and Common Gaming House Act, a person can be fined up to $5,000 or jailed up to six months, or both.