Arrest warrant issued against teen who took part in unlawful gathering
She was expected to be sentenced for being part of an unlawful gathering during pandemic but did not turn up in court
A warrant of arrest has been issued against a teenage girl who was part of an unlawful gathering during the Covid-19 outbreak after she failed to turn up in a district court yesterday.
Aqlima Abdul Azmi, 19, was expected to be sentenced but was nowhere to be found when a court officer called out her name.
On Aug 25, the teenager and two others - Sai Raghu Vaishnavee Ragu, 19, and Mohammad Zack Danial Ahamad Zaki, 20 - each pleaded guilty to an offence under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act after they took part in the gathering at a fitness corner near Block 42 Beo Crescent, off Havelock Road, in June.
Sai Raghu and Zack turned up in court yesterday to appear before Deputy Principal District Judge Seah Chi-Ling.
Zack, who was unwilling to be placed on probation, was fined $3,000. Sai Raghu was sentenced to a year's probation.
Four other guests - Nur Saliza Mohamed Sani, 23, Nurul Sheilla Natasya Suhaimi, 25, Nuraznie Ithnin, 31, and Muhammad Zaki Johari, 33 - had earlier admitted to similar charges. They were each fined $4,000 in August.
Thirteen people, including two minors, attended the illegal gathering which lasted until the wee hours of June 28.
The police had earlier said that the youngest guest, a 14-year-old boy, was given a 12-month conditional warning.
Two others, a 15-year-old youth and a 26-year-old Malaysian man, were investigated for unrelated offences.
The cases involving three others are still pending. They are Mohamad Iman Abdul Rahim, 19, Remy Shah Hail Mee, 20, and Norsyahmi Norhesham, 21.
As part of phase two of the reopening from June 19, each household can receive up to five visitors a day. Groups of up to five can also meet outside homes, such as at restaurants.
They should, however, practise safe distancing and avoid mixing between different groups.
The court heard that Zaki and Zack had planned to consume alcoholic drinks on the evening of June 27. Zaki bought two bottles of liquor while Zack set up two portable tables.
The gathering started at 9pm. All of them, except for the two minors, had alcohol there.
The gathering was so noisy that it kept a resident in a nearby flat awake.
He alerted the police before 1am and an officer went there. The gathering ended soon after. - THE STRAITS TIMES
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