Couple who rode a motorbike and performed a 'circus' on Hai Van Pass were sentenced

Lake Giap• DNUM_BEZAFZCACD 06:49

Nguyen The Anh and his wife were brought to trial by the People's Court of Lien Chieu District (Da Nang City) after the incident of riding a motorbike and taking turns driving on Hai Van Pass.

On May 13, defendants Nguyen The Anh (35 years old) and Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (24 years old, both from Thua Thien-Hue) were brought to trial by the People's Court of Lien Chieu District (Da Nang City) for the crime of "Disturbing public order". The mobile trial took place at Hai Van Primary School, with many people watching.

According to the indictment, at around 4 p.m. on March 19, The Anh drove his wife, Ngan, up Hai Van Pass on a scooter. When they reached the “elbow” bend in Hoa Hiep Bac Ward, Lien Chieu District, the husband asked his wife to take turns driving.

At this time, The Anh let his wife drive the motorbike, he sat behind. Both of them took off their helmets. When going through the curve, the husband leaned forward while the wife moved back to the saddle, switching positions. The distance between the couple driving and switching driving positions was about 120m. The incident was recorded by many people and posted on social media.

Defendant The Anh and his wife at the trial on the morning of May 13. Photo: Ho Giap

In addition to "performing circus acts" on Hai Van Pass, in the evening of the same day, The Anh also rode a motorbike to fight and was detained by the Phu Loc District Police (Thua Thien - Hue Province).

At court today, The Anh and his wife admitted their violations and expressed remorse. They both hoped the jury would consider and impose the lowest sentence possible so they could return to their families soon.

The panel of judges determined that the actions of Thế Anh and Ngân had a negative impact on social order and traffic safety. In addition, the defendant Thế Anh had a bad personal history, having been sentenced to 6 months in prison by the People's Court of Phú Lộc District for theft in 2013; and had been prosecuted and temporarily detained for “Intentionally causing injury”.

After consideration, the panel sentenced The Anh to 1 year and 6 months in prison and Ngan to 1 year in prison (suspended sentence, probation period of 24 months).