Television host Quan Yifeng has been sentenced to 15 months' probation for an altercation she had with a taxi driver more than a year ago, The Straits Times reported today.
She had pleaded guilty to a charge of mischief last month after pulling out the fare meter and spilling water on the receipt printer in Mr Chan Swee Kong's taxi during a dispute on June 26 last year.
District Judge Low Wee Ping took into account that she had suffered from post-natal depression after giving birth to her daughter in 1999 and had been receiving treatment for severe depression, anxiety and sleep problems since 2007.
However, these factors did not condone her actions, he said. He also warned her that any breach of the conditions of the probation could see her back in court for sentencing of this offence, as well as any other new ones.
According to the English daily, Quan will not be allowed to travel overseas without the permission of her probation officer and will have to report in within 24 hours of her return.
She will also need to attend psychiatric treatment and psychological counseling for anger management.
Her grandaunt Mary Chen Ming Li signed a $3,000 bond to ensure Quan's behaviour during the probation period.
The bond will be forfeited if Quan breaches any of the conditions or reoffends.
According to The Straits Times, Quan arrived at the Subordinate Courts in a Mercedes-Benz with Ms Chen.
She was dressed in a front-zipped long-sleeved black top and black pants and sported a copper red hair-do.
She smiled for photographers while entering the Subordinate Courts at 9.20am.
The incident happened after Quan commented on the bad service of the 53-year-old cabby, after he refused to help load her luggage into the boot of the taxi.
Later, Mr Chan slammed on the brakes to avoid a collision with a vehicle, throwing the TV host and her then 11-year-old daughter forward.
The situation worsened when Quan messed up Mr Chan's belongings and damaged the taxi equipment.
Two other charges of mischief and using criminal force were considered by the judge in sentencing.
