SINGAPORE: A man who jumped bail and fled to Malaysia while awaiting trial for drug trafficking has been sentenced to 22 years' jail and 15 strokes of the cane.
The court found 29-year-old Irfan Ahmed Khan guilty of several offences.
These include trafficking methamphetamine, possessing offensive weapons and attacking police officers.
Irfan skipped town after he was granted a day's bail to get married in June last year.
He did not turn up for his wedding solemnisation and failed to show up in court on June 7, 2011.
A warrant of arrest was issued against him.
After 17 days on the run, he was caught in Johor on June 23.
More than three-quarters of the bail amount of S$100,000 put up by his family had been forfeited.
Investigations revealed that Irfan sought refuge at his brother-in-law's home and ignored advice to turn himself in.
A few days later, he escaped to Malaysia with the help of an accomplice.
He hid among several large rattan baskets containing vegetables on his friend's lorry, which was bound for Johor Bahru.
He was arrested in a joint operation by Singapore's Central Narcotics Bureau and its Malaysian counterpart.
- CNA/cc