SINGAPORE: A woman who pointed a knife at a cafe customer and demanded money from her has been sentenced to 10 months’ jail.
On Thursday (March 27), Lam Hoe Lian, 51, who has been in remand since she committed the offence in August 2024, pleaded guilty to one charge of criminal intimidation.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Brian Tan said that on Aug 29, 2024, the victim, a 23-year-old woman, was seated at Han’s Cafe at Novena Square and using her mobile phone after she had finished eating.
The cutlery she had used, namely a fork and a knife with a 12cm-long blade, were placed on the table.
At around 9.30am, Lam walked to the victim’s table, picked up the knife and pointed it at her. She then told the victim in Mandarin that she needed money and demanded that she hand over S$200.
The prosecutor said the victim was startled and raised her hands, but did not move.
The restaurant manager, who saw what was happening, shouted at Lam to put down the knife. Lam complied and left the cafe without saying anything.
The police were notified and Lam was arrested on the same day.
Seeking 11 to 13 months’ jail for Lam, DPP Tan said: “The knife was pointed at a mere 30cm away from the victim’s face, who was helpless. The victim was evidently alarmed, raising her hands and being frozen in shock.”
The prosecutor noted that Lam has intellectual disability and schizophrenia in relapse, and accepted that there was a contributory link between her mental health condition and her offending behaviour.
However, the prosecution said that according to a medical report, Lam knew what she was doing when committing the offence.
DPP Tan added: “While we recognise that the accused suffers from a relevant mental condition, a robust sentence is still appropriate to ensure adequate protection to members of the public from such incidents.”
In mitigation, Lam’s defence lawyer Chong Shou En said his client had no record of violent offences, and that what she did was an aberration in her behaviour.
Those who commit criminal intimidation with the threat to cause grievous hurt can be jailed for up to 10 years, fined, or both. - The Straits Times/ANN
