Two men were charged with criminal offences that led to the death of a fellow Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) serviceman during a training exercise in May last year.

Tan Cavin, who was an instructor at the Military Intelligence Institute, is accused of causing the death of Third-Sergeant (3SG) Tan Mou Sheng by a rash act after driving an army jeep in the Marsiling training area without a licence.

The jeep overturned and the victim was thrown off and pinned under the vehicle. Tan, 21, was also charged with hurting two other instructors in the same vehicle with his rash act. If found guilty, he could be jailed for up to five years and/or fined.

Also in court on Friday was regular serviceman Lee Kong Kean, who was the conducting officer of the training exercise. Lee is accused of abetting Tan's offence and instigating him to drive the jeep even though he knew that Tan Cavin did not have a licence. The 32-year-old was also accused of perverting the course of justice by getting five instructors, including Tan, to lie to investigators that Tan had stolen the jeep. If found guilty, Lee can be jailed for up to seven years and/or fined. Both men are claiming trial, with the next hearing taking place on Oct 28.