In Singapore, a woman demanded S$ 200 ( US$ 139 ) from a victim after she pointed a knife at her in a cafe on Thursday ( Mar 27 ).
Lam Hoe Lian, 51, had picked up a razor and pointed it at the diner’s experience in Novena Square after having just finished her supper at Han’s Cafe &, Cake House.
After the restaurant manager yelled at Lam, who removed the weapon and left, the sufferer was unharmed.  ,
Lam admitted guilt on one count of legal coercion.  ,
The prosecutor was informed that she had an intellectual disability and was also having a return of dementia at the time, both of which contributed to her behavior.  ,
Prior to receiving a remanded order to be remanded at the Institute of Mental Health ( IMH) for a medical examination, she was initially accused of attempted armed robbery.
The prey had really finished her meal at Han’s Cafe in Novena Square on August 29, 2024, about 9.30 am. On the table in front of her were the fork and knife she had used.  ,
As Lam approached her desk and picked up the 23cm weapon, the sufferer was using her mobile phone as she approached her.
About 30 cm ahead, Lam then thrust the knife into the victim’s face. She also stated to the target in Mandarin that she needed money and demanded S$ 200. The target raised her hand in response to her alarm but then continued to stay put.  ,
Different customers at the cafe witnessed the incident. The eateries restaurant manager also witnessed the incident and yelled at Lam to throw down the knife.  ,
Lam therefore removed the weapon from the sufferer without revealing anything. He then placed the blade on the table. Soon after, she left the shop.  ,
Lam was detained on the same day and charged with one count of obstructing justice on August 30th, 2013.  ,
After taking into account Lam’s medical conditions, Deputy Public Prosecutor Brian Tan requested 11 to 13 months in jail.  ,
Mr. Tan cited Lam’s IMH review, which stated that Lam was aware of the crime and knew that” she knew what she was doing” and that” she was doing something wrong when she picked up the knife.”  ,
However, according to Mr. Tan, “her medical conditions may have contributed to poor frustration tolerance and poor judgment, as well as disorganized ( thought ) processes leading to the offence.”  ,
He demanded that the court take into account the victim’s urgent threat and the knife’s close proximity to her face.  ,
Lawyer Chong Shou En from the Public Defender’s Office requested 10 months in prison as a pardon for her crime.  ,
He added that Lam had no criminal record or any previous physical violence.
According to Mr. Chong, the latest season was” an outlier in her behavior.”  ,
Deputy Principal District Judge Kessler Soh ruled that Lam was a first-time criminal and that the defense’s proposed word was” fair and appropriate.”  ,
He assured Lam that a counselor may help her but that she wouldn’t have to turn things around.  ,
A two-year sentence, a great, or both are sentenced to for criminal intimidation. An offender does face jail time for up to 10 years, a fine, or both if the danger is to cause dying or severe harm, or to damage property by fire.