SINGAPORE, July 7 (Xinhua) -- A Singapore's national serviceman, who stole a rifle from army camp going to shoot his ex-girlfriend, was sentenced to nine years and two months in jail and 18 strokes of the cane on Monday.

    According to a local TV Channel NewsAsia report, 20-year-old Dave Teo Ming got the punishment for three charges, including illegally possessing a stolen army rifle and live bullets, and carrying a knife in a public place without lawful purpose.

    In September last year, he disappeared with the rifle and eight rounds of ammunition from Mandai Hill Camp while on guard duty, and he was going to use the rifle to shoot his then girlfriend Crystal, who had broken off with him, according to the prosecution.

    His actions sparked off one of the biggest man-hunts in Singapore, then he was arrested at a downtown entertainment center, said the report.

    Teo's friend, Ong Boon Jun, who did not report Teo for possessing the rifle and bullets, had earlier been sentenced to six-and-a-half years in jail and six strokes of the cane.