SINGAPORE — The prosecution is seeking a one-week jail term for the founder and former owner of popular nightclub Zouk, after he pleaded guilty to a drink-driving charge.

Lincoln Cheng, 70, who had sold Zouk to casino and cruise operator Genting Hong Kong in 2015, admitted to the offence on Tuesday (Oct 31). Another charge relating to dangerous driving will be taken into consideration during sentencing.

The court heard that on Feb 15 this year, Cheng had two glasses of red wine at a dinner in Ion Orchard. Around midnight, as he was heading home, he was said to be driving in a dangerous manner along Eu Tong Sen Street towards the direction of Hill Street, beating two red lights in the process.

At around that time, taxi driver Sydney Baylon John, 71, was driving an SMRT taxi along Kreta Ayer Road. He was making a turn onto Eu Tong Sen Street when Cheng, who had beat a red light, slammed his car into the left side of the taxi.

The collision caused the taxi driver to veer off course and mount a kerb along Eu Tong Sen Street before hitting a metal pole that supported a sheltered walkway.

A traffic police officer arrived at the scene later and found Cheng reeking of alcohol. He failed a breathalyser test, which showed that he had 43 microgrammes (mcg) of alcohol in every 100ml of breath — above the prescribed limit of 35mcg.

After the accident, the taxi driver experienced some pain in his left leg, but did not seek medical attention.

The front and rear left of the taxi were damaged, and SMRT reported that the estimated cost of repair amounted to close to S$21,000. Cheng made full restitution for the damages.

Calling for Cheng to be disqualified from driving for three years, Deputy Public Prosecutor Star Chen Xinhui told the court that Cheng had caused slight to moderate harm, and reiterated that he drove recklessly in ignoring two red lights.

Cheng’s lawyer Kesavan Nair told the court that his client “truly regrets” his actions and is remorseful. Pleading for leniency, he said that Cheng is a 70-year-old man who has medical conditions including insomnia and anxiety.

Cheng is expected to be sentenced on Nov 22.

As this is his first offence for drink-driving, he could be jailed up to six months or fined between S$1,000 and S$5,000.