- Joined
- Aug 20, 2022
- Messages
- 16,770
- Points
- 113
Jail for man who tried to crash bus into tree, punched his own mother and driver
Andrew Wong
UPDATED FEB 26, 2025, 01:53 PM
SINGAPORE - After attempting to stop a bus on the expressway by punching the driver, a male passenger grabbed the steering wheel with the intention of crashing the bus into a tree.
Amid the commotion, he also punched his mother in the face twice and smashed a window using the emergency hammer from the bus.
The man had been upset after an acquaintance called to tell him to meet at a different location than the one initially planned.
On Feb 26, Cheng Yuan Kang, 24, was sentenced to 14 weeks and 10 days’ jail after pleading guilty to one count of voluntarily causing hurt, one for rash act and one charge for criminal intimidation.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Melissa Heng said Cheng and his mother had boarded bus 969 towards Tampines on Jan 6.
The court heard that he was attending a car show that morning.
While on the bus, Cheng received a call from an acquaintance named Kathy. During the call, she told him she would meet him at a booth instead of the entrance of the car show.
DPP Heng said Cheng became angry upon hearing about the change of plans. He then walked to the front of the bus and punched the bus driver three times, asking to be alighted.
The driver said he could not stop as the bus was currently travelling on the expressway and told Cheng he could alight at the next bus stop.
Upon hearing the driver’s response, Cheng grabbed the steering wheel with both hands in an attempt to steer the bus into a tree. The driver managed to push Cheng away using one hand, causing the bus to jerk during the struggle.
Following this, Cheng went to the back of the bus and smashed a glass window using the emergency hammer. He also warned other passengers not to call the police or he would go after their families.
He punched his mother twice in the face and kicked her twice on the shin before threatening to kill the bus driver.
The driver managed to reach the next bus stop and made all the passengers alight before informing his company of the incident.
The court heard that Cheng faces challenges with impulsiveness and emotional regulation and is currently seeing a doctor at the Institute of Mental Health. But his doctor said Cheng was aware of his actions and the consequences at the time of the offence.
District Judge Carol Ling said Cheng’s risk of reoffending is high, and his sentence must serve as both a deterrent and to protect the public.
