Tough love wins: Man says no to bail for errant son

Herry being led out of court on Wednesday. He has had repeated run-ins with the law.
Herry being led out of court on Wednesday. He has had repeated run-ins with the law. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

IPOH • Since his teenage years, M. Herry Dass has fallen afoul of the law many times, but his father has always bailed him out.

Things changed on Wednesday when Herry's father told the judge presiding over the young man's gang robbery case that he no longer wanted to be his son's bondsman. "I no longer wish to post bail for my son," said Mr V. Mariadass, 55, in a calm tone.

Herry, 26, got down on his knees and wailed "appa, appa... please, please, please", ignoring repeated warnings by Sessions Court judge S. Indra Nehru to stop or face contempt charges.

The judge, who was hearing the case when it was brought up for mention yesterday, eventually stood down the case to give Mr Mariadass, a labourer at a wholesale market, time to think through his decision.

Herry on June 24 was granted bail of RM3,000 (S$960) by the court after he claimed trial to a charge of gang robbery that carries a maximum jail term of 20 years.

But there would be no bail available this time.

After five minutes, Mr Mariadass told the court: "Yes, I'm very sure about my decision. I stand firm in my decision."

Again, Herry started wailing and begging his father, even as policemen handcuffed him.

They had to literally drag him away from the dock and out of the courtroom.

Speaking to reporters later, Mr Mariadass said it was not the first time that his eldest son had been in trouble with the law.

"He refuses to work and instead gets into trouble time after time," he said.

"This is his third or fourth run-in with the law in 10 years, and I've had to borrow as much as RM20,000 to pay his fines.

"He doesn't listen. He never learns, and I'm fed up."

THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 09, 2016, with the headline Tough love wins: Man says no to bail for errant son. Subscribe