A mother was jailed for 10 days after kicking a 3-year-old boy at a toy store following a dispute over tape at a gift-wrapping station.
KEY POINTS
IN SIMPLE TERMS
A woman got angry during an argument at a toy store and kicked a young child, causing him to fall and hurt his knee. She was caught, taken to court, and sent to jail for 10 days. The court said her behaviour was wrong because she attacked someone else's child.
WHY IT MATTERS
WHERE DO YOU STAND?
Do you think a 10-day jail sentence is a fair and sufficient punishment for kicking a small child?
👍 👎 Vote ↓A mother’s frustration at a toy store led to a shocking act of violence against a child, resulting in jail time.
According to Channel NewsAsia, a shocking incident occurred in Singapore on 1 May 2024.
Angela Yong Sze Ting, a 36-year-old mother, kicked back of a 3-year-old boy’s foot after a dispute with his parents.
The incident took place at United Square Shopping Mall on Thomson Road.
Yong was sentenced to 10 days in jail on 1 November 2024 for her actions.
The dispute started over the use of tape at a gift-wrapping station in the store.
Yong was wrapping a gift when she got into an argument with the boy’s parents.
In a fit of anger, she kicked the back of the young boy’s foot from behind as his parents walked ahead.
The kick was strong enough to make the child fall and hurt his knee.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1 May 2024 | Incident at United Square Shopping Mall |
| 1 November 2024 | Sentencing at State Courts |
The boy was examined by a doctor after the incident.
He was given three days of medical leave due to knee pain.
Yong tried to run away after kicking the child, but the boy’s father stopped her.
The police were called to handle the situation.
District Judge Eddy Tham presided over the case at the State Courts.
He described Yong’s actions as “cowardly” and “shocking”.
According to Channel NewsAsia, Judge Tham stated, “The attack was cowardly and it is shocking that Yong, who is herself a mother with young children, had no qualms taking it out on a young child of another family she was unhappy with.”
The prosecution sought a jail term of two to three weeks for Yong.
They emphasised that her conduct was “completely unwarranted and unprovoked”.
Throughout the investigation, Yong claimed the incident was accidental.
She showed no remorse for her actions.
Her lawyer, Ms Alyssa Galvan Mundo, argued for a non-jail sentence.
The defense claimed Yong did not intentionally follow the victim’s family.
In Singapore, voluntarily causing hurt can lead to serious legal consequences.
The penalties can include up to three years in jail, a fine of up to S$5,000, or both.
Acts against minors under 14 can result in double the penalties.
This case highlights the importance of protecting children from abuse, which can have long-lasting effects.
Do you think the 10-day jail sentence is appropriate for this act of violence against a child?
Do you think a 10-day jail sentence is a fair and sufficient punishment for kicking a small child?
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