SINGAPORE - A teenager who extorted $150 from a classmate in Sept 2013 was placed on two years' probation on Friday.
Noor Iqmal Noor Indra, 18, confronted 17-year-old Khairul Irfan Abdul Halim after finding out he had been teasing a female schoolmate. He threatened to tell the girl's elder brother who he claimed would assault Mr Khairul Irfan.
The victim handed over $50, and another $100 after Noor Iqmal repeated the threat a few days later.
Noor Iqmal subsequently lied that the girl's brother had found out about the teasing anyway, and offered to speak to him on Mr Khairul Irfan's behalf. He received another $50.
But Mr Khairul Irfan had enough when Noor Iqmal later alleged he had damaged his mobile phone during a physical education class, and demanded compensation. The victim reported Noor Iqmal to the school and made a police report.
Noor Iqmal pleaded guilty to one count of extortion and on Friday had another taken into consideration. His probation term is also punishment for holding the blunt edge of a knife near a 14-year-old boy's head in 2012, during a smoking session. One offence of stealing $1,129.30 of items in Mustafa Centre in 2010 was also considered.
The court ordered Noor Iqmal to perform 200 hours of community service and remain indoors between 10pm and 6am. His step-siblings have signed a $5,000 bond to ensure his good heaviour.
Community Court Judge Mathew Joseph said Noor Iqmal had undergone a "tough upbringing", having lost both his parents at a young age. The judge noted, on the positive side, that the teenager's step-siblings had stepped in to look after him. He added Noor Iqmal should be grateful for them and listen to them.
Noor Iqmal could have been jailed for between two and seven years, and caned, for extortion.
