The man allegedly behind the assault on the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) officer last year may well have a condition that should explain his behaviour.
56-year-old Tan Seng Choon was accused of slapping and punching the female officer several times during an interview at the MSF’s Social Service Office as part of his application for financial assistance.
In court however, Channel NewsAsia reports that Choon has a “long history of schizophrenia” and had been warded for nine days at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) to stabilise his condition.
The court has ordered that he be remanded at IMH for two weeks to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. The offence for causing hurt to a public servant carries a heavy penalty — up to seven years in jail, fined, and/or caned.
