(SINGAPORE) Alina Meridian, a 31-year-old Singaporean, has pleaded guilty to one charge of voluntarily causing hurt to a security officer following an incident at Lorong Chuan MRT Station on 17 August 2024. Madam Cindy Tay Jui Hwa, a 66-year-old Certis Cisco officer, was injured when Meridian allegedly pushed her after being requested to undergo a bag screening.
The Incident
On the morning of the incident, just before 8am, Meridian approached the gantry of the MRT station while heading to a job-related course. When Mdm Tay requested to check his bag, Meridian reportedly became agitated, threw his bag on the ground, and refused to cooperate.
- Meridian insisted Mdm Tay pick up his bag if she wanted to conduct a check.
- He pushed Mdm Tay, who fell and sustained a 1cm laceration on her head requiring hospital treatment.
Legal Proceedings
Initially, Meridian contested the charges in court, claiming he was reacting to Mdm Tay’s lack of de-escalation tactics. He appeared without legal representation but later accepted legal assistance under the Enhanced Guidance for Plea Scheme (EGPS).
The prosecution and defence are jointly seeking a psychiatric assessment to determine Meridian’s suitability for a mandatory treatment order (MTO) due to possible underlying mental health issues.
Next Steps
Meridian is set to return to court for sentencing on 27 October 2024. If convicted of voluntarily causing hurt, he could face a maximum sentence of three years in jail, a fine of up to S$5,000, or both.
This case highlights the challenges faced by security personnel in public spaces and raises questions about the importance of communication and compliance in ensuring safety for all commuters.