Singapore jails repeat Panadol thief who stole dozens of boxes of painkillers

Sng Cheow Sim, 51, refused to reveal what he had done with all the medication he stole – at least 66 boxes’ worth – and made no restitution

He had form, the court heard, having been sentenced for a similar crime last year after stealing about US$187 worth of Panadol

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A view of the Ang Mo Kio area of Singapore. Sng stole 30 boxes of Panadol worth S$330 (US$246) from a supermarket in the area, a court heard. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 10:02am, 22 Nov 2023Updated: 12:55pm, 22 Nov 2023

A repeat thief who was released on remission in Singapore for a previous offence of stealing Panadol went back to stealing the painkiller again – this time clearing out a supermarket shelf of all its supply.

Sng Cheow Sim, 51, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft, with a third charge taken into consideration.

However, he refused to reveal what he did with all that Panadol – at least 66 boxes’ worth, and made no restitution.

Sng refused to reveal in court what he had done with all the medication he stole. Photo: Shutterstock

The court heard that Sng was sentenced last year to 19 months in jail for stealing about S$250 (US$187) worth of Panadol.

In August, while still on remission for the previous offences, Sng began stealing again.

He went to a supermarket in the Ang Mo Kio Hub shopping centre and stole 30 boxes of Panadol worth S$330 in total, concealing them in a tote bag. A security guard saw Sng place the boxes in his bag and gave chase when Sng left without paying, but lost sight of him.

The guard lodged a police report that same day. Sng’s acts were caught by closed-circuit television cameras.