British court okays extradition of suspect in S’pore robbery

SINGAPORE: A British court has ruled that a fugitive wanted by Singapore for a rare bank robbery could be extradited after the wealthy city-state agreed to waive corporal punishment if he is found guilty.

Canadian David Roach is accused of having stolen S$30,000 (RM90,250) from a Standard Chartered branch in 2016 by handing a threatening note to a teller. He fled to Thailand with the money.

Roach’s lawyer had appealed against the extradition, citing Singapore prison conditions, the fact that his client was jailed in Thailand, and concerns that Singapore would not keep its promise.

The decision on the extradition has been passed to Britain’s secretary of state.

Singapore wants Roach on one count of robbery, carrying a minimum two years’ jail and at least six strokes of the cane, and on one count of money laundering.

After fleeing to Thailand, Roach was jailed for 14 months for not declaring such a large amount of money upon arrival.

Singapore authorities said they had asked Thailand to send Roach back to face charges, but it decided to deport Roach to Canada in January.

However, en route home, he was detained by British police at London’s Heathrow Airport at the request of Singapore, which has an extradition treaty with Britain, but not with Thailand.