Justice Served, but No Caning for the Bank‑Bandit
David James Roach, the Canadian who stole more than a touch of cash from a Standard Chartered Bank back in 2016, got a fresh twist to his sentence—no more cane swings. The Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) confirmed on July 25 that the former robber’s six strokes of the cane were officially remitted.
Why the Sudden Switch?
- Roach fled Singapore immediately after the heist, heading straight to Thailand.
- The Singapore Government, eager to bring him back for good, promised the UK that he wouldn’t receive any corporal punishment.
- The UK’s extradition laws required this pledge if they were to hand Roach back to Singapore.
The Legal Ballet
In 2018, after a brief detour in Thailand, Roach was deported from London and flown back to Singapore on March 17. By July 7, he had turned himself in, pleaded guilty to robbery and money laundering, and got his five‑year jail term. Instead of a cane, the President—on Cabinet advice—waved away the corporal sentence under Article 22P(1) of Singapore’s Constitution.
No Substitute | No Extra Punishment
The MHA underscored that when the cane was removed, there was no other punishment to be imposed. “We’ve delivered on the promise we made to the UK,” the ministry said, while reaffirming that the justice system in Singapore is ready to deal with offenders—no matter where they’re hiding.
Key Takeaways
- Robbers can fly, but the law can still catch up.
- Singapore’s commitment to extradition includes a tough guarantee on no corporal punishment.
- Justice is balanced with diplomatic realities—courts will still keep the offenders in line, even if not with a cane.
This story first ran in The Straits Times and requires permission for any further reproduction. Now you’re up on everything that actually happened to Roach, and why a cane was cancelled—turned into a life lesson about law, diplomacy, and a bit of unlikely humor.
