Henry Aw Ying Liang, 32, was convicted on 17 Oct 2025 on five charges stemming from two separate drunk driving incidents that occurred within six months.
He pleaded guilty to one count each of drink driving, driving a motor vehicle without due care, and failing to render assistance after an accident. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of leaving his vehicle in a position likely to cause danger, obstruction or inconvenience.
First Incident: Found Asleep at Traffic Light in Orchard
On 9 May 2023, Aw consumed alcohol with a friend at Cuppage Plaza at 3.30am. Shortly after 3.50am, he got into his car and drove towards Grange Road. He stopped at a red light at the cross-junction between Orchard Boulevard and Paterson Road.
Aw fell asleep while waiting for the traffic light to turn green. A police officer discovered him at 4.23am. His car had remained stationary at the junction for 10 minutes.
The officer detected that Aw smelled of alcohol and administered a breathalyser test. Aw failed the test.
A secondary test conducted at 5.48am at the Police Cantonment Complex found he had 46 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms per 100ml.
Second Incident: Crashed Into Parked Car and Fled Scene
Nearly six months later, on 20 Oct 2023, Aw was driving along Bencoolen Street at 2.08am. He approached a taxi pickup and drop-off bay.
He did not slow down as he reached the bay and lost control of his car. The car veered right and crashed into a stationary car in the bay.
The crash damaged the stationary car’s left passenger door. It also dislodged its rear side bumper and rear left tyre. The driver of the parked vehicle was given six days of medical leave.
Aw exited his car after the accident and called for a taxi to return home. He left the scene without rendering assistance.
History of Traffic Offences
Aw had committed multiple traffic offences between 2013 and 2018. These included speeding, inconsiderate and careless driving, and failure to obey traffic signals.
His defence lawyer, Chung Ping Shen, said the court proceedings have taken a toll on him emotionally and financially. Aw helps in his family-owned business dealing with wholesale supplies to supermarkets in Singapore. Chung said Aw sought to take full responsibility for what he deemed a lapse of judgment.
Penalties and Sentencing
Aw will return to court on 29 Oct 2025 to be sentenced.
Those convicted of drink driving can be fined up to $10,000, jailed for up to 12 months, or both. Repeat offenders may be fined up to $20,000 and jailed for up to two years.
