Teen m-cyclist charged, says he's not to be blamed for LTA officer's death

A teenage motorcyclist, accused of fleeing from a Land Transport Authority (LTA) enforcement officer on June 4, was on the run at the time after he allegedly consumed methamphetamine in 2023.

- Shaffigq Alkhatib

The officer died after he crashed his motorcycle during the chase.

The 18-year-old motorcyclist, who appeared in court via video link on June 6, was handed six charges, including multiple traffic offences such as riding a motorcycle in a dangerous manner.

He was also charged with weapon possession and drug consumption.

He cannot be named as he was 17 years old when he allegedly consumed methamphetamine on Aug 7, 2023.

Those below 18 are protected under the Children and Young Persons Act.

On June 6, the teenager, who was unrepresented, told the court: “I gambled my life as much as he gambled his. The death, I may be one of the contributing factors for the death, but I am not to be blamed.”

A gasp could be heard from the gallery as he said those words.

A prosecutor asked the court on June 6 to not offer bail to the teenager, stressing that he absconded in October 2023 before he was to be sent to a community rehabilitation centre.