Overview
- Police and court records show the assault began after the child flashed a lewd hand gesture and escalated at a crowded bus stop on March 6 when the 37‑year‑old grabbed and slapped the four‑year‑old.
- Bystanders including other preschool children witnessed the attack and police camera footage recorded the incident, which led to the child being treated at hospital and a police report being filed.
- Medical notes and the victim’s mother told the court the boy had bruises and ringing in his ear and continued to suffer nightmares and school anxiety, prompting his parents to move him to another preschool.
- On Sept 30 the court accepted the defendant’s guilty pleas to voluntarily causing hurt and using criminal force on a minor, sentenced him to 14 weeks’ jail and ordered S$170 in compensation while permitting surrender to be deferred until Nov 13.
- Prosecutors had sought a longer term, citing the sustained, brazen nature of the attack and the deep emotional harm to the child, a point the judge said weighed heavily even as he allowed mitigation for family circumstances.