Tan Chin Heng v Public Prosecutor: Impersonating a Police Officer & Criminal Force

Tan Chin Heng appealed to the High Court of Singapore against his conviction and sentence for impersonating a police officer and using criminal force against a woman in a hotel room. The High Court, Choo Han Teck J, dismissed the appeal, upholding the trial judge's findings and the imposed sentences.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Appeal against conviction and sentence dismissed.

1.3 Case Type

Criminal

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Tan Chin Heng was convicted of impersonating a police officer and using criminal force. The High Court dismissed his appeal against conviction and sentence.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Public ProsecutorRespondentGovernment AgencyAppeal dismissedWon
Edwin San of Deputy Public Prosecutor
Tan Chin HengAppellantIndividualAppeal dismissedLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Choo Han TeckJYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Edwin SanDeputy Public Prosecutor
Peter Ong Lip ChengPeter Ong & Raymond Tan

4. Facts

  1. The appellant impersonated a police officer.
  2. The appellant requested sexual services from the complainant.
  3. The appellant bound the complainant's hands with plastic cable bonds.
  4. The appellant had sexual intercourse with the complainant.
  5. The complainant reported the incident to the police after being arrested in a raid.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Tan Chin Heng v Public Prosecutor, Magistrate's Appeal No 310 of 2010, [2011] SGHC 7

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Offences committed in a hotel room in Geylang.
Magistrate's Appeal No 310 of 2010
High Court dismissed the appeal against conviction and sentence.

7. Legal Issues

  1. Impersonating a Police Officer
    • Outcome: The court upheld the conviction for impersonating a police officer.
    • Category: Substantive
  2. Use of Criminal Force
    • Outcome: The court upheld the conviction for using criminal force.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Appeal against conviction
  2. Appeal against sentence

9. Cause of Actions

  • Impersonation of a Public Servant
  • Criminal Force

10. Practice Areas

  • Criminal Law
  • Appeals

11. Industries

  • Hospitality

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
No cited cases

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Penal Code (Cap 224, 1985 Rev Ed)Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Impersonating a police officer
  • Criminal force
  • Oral testimony
  • Findings of fact
  • Appeal against conviction
  • Appeal against sentence

15.2 Keywords

  • Impersonation
  • Criminal Force
  • Appeal
  • Conviction
  • Sentence

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Criminal Law90
Penal Code90
Criminal Procedure70
Sentencing60
Evidence50

16. Subjects

  • Criminal Law
  • Evidence
  • Sentencing