S'porean man, 63, pleads guilty to driving into Seletar Country Club swimming pool after 2 shots of whiskey

A 63-year-old Singaporean drank two shots of whiskey at a corporate dinner at Seletar Country Club, and subsequently, drove his car into the swimming pool.

Teng Guan How William pleaded guilty on Apr. 7 to one count of drink driving and one count of rash or negligent conduct with respect to any machinery in possession or under charge of the offender.

He caused S$17,969 of damages in the country club.

He was sentenced to six weeks’ jail on Apr. 9 and will be disqualified from holding all classes of driving licences for 36 months.

What happened

According to court documents, Teng drove his car to the country club to attend a golf event and corporate dinner on Aug. 27, 2024.

He consumed the alcohol and went to his car sometime before 9:37pm to drive home.

He drove out of the members' parking area and straight into an area within the country club's compound that was off limits to members.

He did so as he did not make a sharp left turn to remain on the road.

Destruction of property

The next eight minutes saw Teng destroy club property with his vehicle.

Between 9.37pm and 9.45pm, he hit a plant and broke a water pipe outside a building near the playground.

Water gushed out after the faucet was dislodged.

He then hit a metal store and dented it.

The car went through a playground, hit garden lights, and went into a pool.

The drain covers, handgrip and tiles at the edge of the pool were damaged.

The car dipped bonnet-first into the water.

The pool was closed at the time and patrolled by security guards.

Footage played in court showed the car entering the pool before making a three-point turn and going into the pool again.

Security arrived

A security guard informed a senior security shift leader that a car had entered the swimming pool past 9:45pm.

The security shift leader found Teng in the car.

He knocked on the window of the car and asked Teng to lower it.

Teng did not do so and tried to reverse the car out of the pool but failed.

Teng opened the car door and was helped out.

The security shift leader noticed that Teng was intoxicated.

Teng was escorted to the security office.

The security shift leader returned to the pool to assess the damage.

He called the police at about 10pm.

The security shift leader returned to the security office but could not find Teng there.

Teng was found at the golf complex and escorted back.

He failed a breathalyser test and was arrested.

According to court documents, the deputy public prosecutor sought a sentence of eight to 10 weeks' jail for the accused's rash conduct charge, as well as a S$5,000 fine with a disqualification period of 30 to 36 months.

Teng had made full restitution to the country club on Sep. 19, 2024.

Top photos via court documents