A 22-year-old Singaporean man, identified as Aaron Samuel Yukon, was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment on Friday, November 7, 2025, after pleading guilty to one count of causing grievous hurt. The charge stemmed from a violent altercation that resulted in serious injury to actor Ryan Lian Yong Yi, who is publicly known as Ryan Lian. A second charge against the accused for possessing a karambit knife was considered during the sentencing.
The incident occurred outside NEX shopping mall in Serangoon Central at approximately 6:10 pm on November 22, 2024. The court was informed that the victim, Mr. Lian, was at the sheltered walkway near the mall to smoke. Mr. Yukon, who was a complete stranger to Mr. Lian, arrived at the same location shortly after for the same purpose. According to the prosecution, the confrontation originated from mutual annoyance over staring, which quickly escalated into a verbal confrontation.
The verbal exchange rapidly devolved into a physical fight, during which both men fell to the ground. While they were struggling and punching each other, Mr. Yukon reached into a pouch he was carrying and retrieved a sheathed karambit knife. He then used this weapon to attack Mr. Lian. Following the assault, Mr. Yukon managed to break free from the entanglement and fled the scene by running away.
Mr. Lian remained at the location and soon realized he was bleeding significantly from his face. Fortunately, two off-duty paramedics were present or arrived shortly after and attended to his injuries. He was subsequently transported to the hospital via ambulance. Medical reports indicated that Mr. Lian sustained multiple serious injuries, including fractures and lacerations on his face, bruises over his forehead, and abrasions. Although his injuries warranted a longer stay, the victim was discharged just two days after his admission, against medical advice.
In seeking a sentence of nine to 11 months' jail, the prosecution emphasized several aggravating factors. They noted the severity of the injuries sustained by the victim, the fact that he was discharged against medical advice suggesting a more severe condition, and the vulnerability of the part of the body that Mr. Yukon attacked, namely the face. Furthermore, the altercation occurred in a public space, which contributes to the gravity of the offense. The prosecution also pointed out that Mr. Yukon has a history of previously committing offenses related to voluntarily causing hurt. However, the prosecutor acknowledged that this specific case did not involve an attack on an "unassuming, innocent bystander."
The defense, led by Mr. Haneef Abdul Malik from Trident Law, argued for a lighter sentence of at most seven-and-a-half months' imprisonment. The defense presented a mitigating narrative, asserting that it was the victim, Mr. Lian, who initiated the confrontation through provocation. According to the defense, Mr. Lian held onto Mr. Yukon "incessantly," effectively restraining him and preventing him from breaking free despite his "strenuous attempts." The lawyer argued that Mr. Yukon "felt that he had no choice but to hit" Mr. Lian with the hilt of a karambit—not intending to use the blade—in order to escape the persisting hold of the stranger. The defense further claimed that Mr. Yukon did not realize until later that the sheath of the karambit had fallen off during the struggle, implying the slicing was unintended.
The defense also noted that Mr. Yukon was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as a child. They argued that behavioral impulsivity is a core symptom of ADHD, which increases the risk of criminality and could be a factor in his decision-making during the high-stress situation. Mr. Haneef provided an alternative account of the confrontation's beginning, stating that Mr. Yukon and a friend noticed two men staring at them. When Mr. Yukon and his friend attempted to walk past, one of the men (implied to be Mr. Lian) accosted Mr. Yukon's friend in a hostile manner and began shouting aggressively in Mandarin, using confrontational phrases. Mr. Lian then allegedly shouted at Mr. Yukon, asking, "Then you ... you got problem or not." The defense concluded by noting that Mr. Yukon also suffered severe injuries on his left hand and arm during the struggle.
For the offense of voluntarily causing grievous hurt, the maximum penalty is a jail term of up to 10 years and a potential fine or caning. The victim, Mr. Lian, is a known figure in the entertainment industry, famous for his roles in films such as Ah Boys To Men 4 and Money No Enough 3. The news also mentioned a past unrelated incident in which Mr. Lian was arrested after being filmed attempting to pry open an electronic lock of a home in Telok Blangah, where police later confirmed an arrest was made under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act.
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