THE Singapore Court of Appeal on Friday affirmed the sentence of six weeks’ jail and a $20,000 fine handed down to former British Weekly columnist Alan Shadrake by that country’s High Court for contempt of court.

After the decision by Singapore’s highest court, Shadrake, 76, through his lawyer, Mr M. Ravi, asked to start serving his jail term next Wednesday. The request was granted.

Last year, the Attorney-General had applied to commit Shadrake for contempt of court on the ground that 14 passages in his book, Once A Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock, had scandalised the judiciary.

In November last year, he was found by High Court judge Quentin Loh to have impugned the impartiality, integrity and independence of the courts here in 11 out of the 14 passages. Justice Loh sentenced Shadrake to six weeks’ jail and a $20,000 fine – the heaviest punishment handed down here for contempt of court by way of scandalising the judiciary.

Shadrake appealed.

On Friday, a three-judge Court of Appeal, contrary to Justice Loh, found nine of the 14 passages to be in contempt.

The appeal court disagreed with Justice Loh’s approach in giving Shadrake a ‘sentencing discount’ to signal that the courts have no interest in stifling legitimate debate on the death penalty. The appeal court said that Shadrake’s conduct merited a substantial jail term as this was ‘still the worst case of scandalising contempt’ that has come before the Singapore courts.

Shadrake, who walked out of court flashing his usual V for victory sign, said: ‘They gave me what I expected. I expected the results.’

He said he did not regret writing the book although he admitted making ‘minor’ errors.

Shadrake said he will not be able to pay the fine and will serve the default two-week jail term, making a total of eight weeks.

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