SINGAPORE - A freelance attendant drove his nephew's lorry without consent or a valid licence and ran over an elderly man, causing his death.

Mohamed Shafarudin Mohamed Mokthar was reversing the lorry at a service road when he struck an 81-year-old man. He continued to reverse the vehicle, unaware that he had struck the pedestrian, who was dragged by the lorry for about 4m.

Retiree Ang Kum Lor died in hospital from multiple injuries about an hour after the accident.

On Monday, the 34-year-old was sentenced to four weeks' jail and banned from driving for five years for negligently causing the death of Mr Ang along the service road into Block 116 to 117, Ho Ching Road, Jurong, on Oct 6 last year.

Shafarudin, who pleaded guilty, was fined a total of $2,400 - $800 each for taking away and driving the lorry without the owner's consent; driving without a class 3 licence; and moving the vehicle from the scene of the accident without authority.

The court heard Shafarudin was driving the Mitsubishi lorry along the bi-directional service road of Block 116 and 117 at about 11.25am that day when he reversed the vehicle against the flow of traffic.

He did not see Mr Ang, who was walking behind his vehicle after collecting food from NTUC Health Senior Activity Centre.

The vehicle hit Mr Ang and he fell. Shafarudin continued to reverse the lorry out of Ho Ching Road, dragging Mr Ang under his vehicle for about 4m, resulting in a blood trail.

He only stopped when a passer-by knocked on his passenger door to tell him that he had knocked down someone.

Shafarudin got down and called the police. But he did not tell them he was the driver or that he was involved in the accident.

He stayed until the ambulance had taken Mr Ang away to hospital before driving off without waiting for the police to arrive.

This was despite knowing that a driver had to wait for the police after a road traffic accident.

When police contacted him, he initially said he was a passer-by and that there was a taxi near the scene. Later that day, he admitted to the offence when contacted again and surrendered to the Traffic Police headquarters.

He could have been jailed for up to two years and/or fined for causing death by doing a negligent act.