Man prefers jail to paying fines

An Asian man has expressed his preference to stay in jail for 220 days than paying BD1,100 in fine. The defendant, who was employed as a driver with a local family, was caught offering an illegal taxi service. He was arrested by a special team by carrying out a crackdown on illegal taxi drivers.

Prosecutors, during interrogation, found that he had jumped red traffic light on 10 occasions, and hence supposed to pay BD1,100 in fine. According to latest traffic rules, BD100 in fine is imposed on the offender for jumping traffic signals. Prosecutors said that he was using his sponsor’s car to provide illegal taxi services and was charging between BD2 and BD5 for them. The defendant was earlier arrested on the basis of same charges but was unwilling to rectify his mistakes, the prosecutors added.

When asked by judges at the court if he would be able to pay the fine, he answered that he was ready to spend jail time equal to the amount he owed in fines. According to judicial estimates, BD100 in fine can be replaced by spending 20 days behind bars. The defendant will now have to spend 220 days in prison to settle the fines he owed by committing traffic offences.