KUALA LUMPUR: The student caught on video ramming into a cop car has gotten off with a RM4,000 fine, after the police involved forgave him in a news report.
Magistrate Noorul Fhaiez Mohd Nayan fined Lua Norman after he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol, with a blood-alcohol level twice over the legal limit.
The 21-year-old had originally claimed trial to losing control of his vehicle while driving drunk, causing him to crash into a police patrol vehicle and injuring officers Nor Alhayari Buyong, 58, and Zainal Abu Bee Din, 50.
However, on Monday he admitted to the alternate charge of driving under the influence, which carries a lesser punishment of up to an RM6000 fine and prison not exceeding 12 months.
Under Section 44(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for causing an accident while drunk, Lua could have been jailed up to 10 years and fined RM20,000, if convicted.
His counsel Mohd Khairani Samsi plead for a lower sentence, saying the officers had forgiven Lua in an exclusive interview with the Star, published on June 26.
The lawyer added that his client would be grateful to have the case behind him, as his studies abroad was set to start on August 16.
According to the statement of facts, Lua had hit the police car while driving on Jalan Pudu heading into the city centre, at 8.55am on June 22.
A five minute Youtube video uploaded on June 24 shows a similar car hitting the back of a police car, and pushing it from the left lane to the road barrier.
The video titled "Police Car hit by VolksWagon Polo @ Tunnel near Old Pudu Jail" was viewed over 105,000 within two days of being published.
