Woman Jailed 10 Months for Knife Threat at Novena Cafe

On March 27, a Singaporean woman, Lam Hoe Lian, was sentenced to 10 months in jail for pointing a knife at a cafe diner and demanding S$200 (US$149). The 51-year-old pleaded guilty to one charge of criminal intimidation.

The incident occurred on August 29, 2024, at Han’s Cafe & Cake House in Novena Square. The victim had just finished her meal around 9:30 a.m. when Lam approached her table, picked up a 23cm knife, and pointed it at the victim’s face, about 30cm away. Speaking in Mandarin, Lam demanded S$200. The victim, startled, raised her hand but remained still.

Other diners and the restaurant manager witnessed the incident. The manager immediately intervened, shouting at Lam to put down the knife. In response, Lam placed the knife back on the table and left without taking anything. She exited the cafe shortly after and was arrested later that day.

Lam was initially charged with attempted armed robbery but was remanded at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) for evaluation. The medical report confirmed that she suffered from schizophrenia and an intellectual disability, both of which contributed to her actions.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Brian Tan sought a sentence of 11 to 13 months, arguing that while Lam was aware of her actions, her medical conditions impaired her judgment and frustration tolerance. He also emphasized the immediate threat posed to the victim, given the knife’s close proximity to her face.

Defense lawyer Chong Shou En from the Public Defender’s Office requested a 10-month sentence, citing Lam’s psychiatric conditions and lack of a violent criminal record. He described the incident as an isolated event, highlighting that Lam had no history of physical violence.

Deputy Principal District Judge Kessler Soh acknowledged Lam’s first-time offender status and accepted the defense’s proposed sentence, calling it “fair and appropriate.” He assured Lam that a counselor would assist her in avoiding future offenses.

In Singapore, criminal intimidation carries a jail term of up to two years, a fine, or both. If the threat involves death, grievous hurt, or arson, the maximum penalty increases to 10 years in jail, a fine, or both.

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