Cleaner fined $3,500 for kicking and damaging ATM

A cleaner, who caused a dent and small crack, on an automated teller machine (ATM) door was fined $3,500 for mischief on Tuesday.

Gopalan Segar, 46, pleaded guilty to kicking the DBS Bank ATM at Block 19 Ghim Moh Road on Oct 26, 2011. The damage amounted to $1,083.

A magistrate's court heard that he was trying to withdraw money from the ATM that evening when he failed and became frustrated. He then kicked the ATM machine door multiple times.

An Aetos officer who was escorting an engineer making repairs at the location heard the sounds of kicking. He saw Gopalan kicking the door and tried to stop him. He then called the police. Gopalan could not pay the fine and will serve 14 days' jail instead. He could have been jailed for up to two years and/or fined.

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