Mandatory treatment order for man who assaulted security officer at MRT station

SINGAPORE - A man, who

became upset with a Certis security officer at an MRT station

and assaulted her, was sentenced to a two-year mandatory treatment order on Oct 27.

Alina Meridian, 31, who the judge said was found to have “autism spectrum disorder” and was unable to adjust his behaviour appropriately at the time of the offence, pleaded guilty to an assault charge on Sept 24.

Offenders given a mandatory treatment order have to undergo treatment to address their conditions in lieu of time behind bars.

Meridian was represented by lawyers Sunil Sudheesan and Joyce Khoo.

In earlier proceedings, the court heard that Meridian, a Singaporean, had gone to Lorong Chuan MRT station shortly before 8am on Aug 17, 2024, as he wanted to get to Aperia Mall in Kallang.

Security officer Cindy Tay Jui Hwa, 65, stopped him as he walked towards a gantry and asked to check his bag.

“(He) became upset and threw his bag on the ground. He told Cindy that she could pick up his bag... if she wanted to conduct the security check,” Deputy Public Prosecutor Nicole Teo had told the court in September.

“The accused and Cindy continued to exchange words. The accused refused to pick up his bag for the bag check. The accused also asked the security officers to hurry with the... check as he was in a rush.”

Meridian pushed Ms Tay on her shoulders from the front, causing her to fall.

He then picked up his bag and went past the gantry towards the platform of the station, even though an MRT station manager tried to stop him from doing so.

Ms Tay, whose head was bleeding, was rushed to the emergency department at Tan Tock Seng Hospital and was later given five days’ outpatient medical leave.

Officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division managed to establish Meridian’s identity and arrested him the day after the incident, the police had said earlier.

For assault, an offender can be jailed for up to three years, fined up to $5,000 or both.