Jail, caning for man who wielded rod in failed robbery bid

He held rod against cashier's neck, but left after being told there was CCTV in store

- Shaffiq Alkhatib

A man who tried to commit robbery at a convenience store by holding a metal rod against the cashier's neck failed after the latter told him there were CCTV cameras in the area.

On July 21, Harry Chia Yin Xiang, 26, was sentenced to two years and six months' jail and 12 strokes of the cane.

He had pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to commit robbery over the incident, which took place in April 2024. He also pleaded guilty to one count each of harassment and being in possession of a knuckleduster in separate incidents.

On April 14, 2024, Chia wanted to buy some cigarettes but realised he did not have enough money, deputy public prosecutors Tay Zhi Jie and Xavier Tan stated in court documents.

He called his grandmother for money, but she refused.