In a shocking case that has gripped Singapore, five teenage girls lured a 16-year-old peer to a toilet in SAFRA Choa Chu Kang and violently assaulted her, while another teen gave instructions over a video call. The attack, premeditated and coordinated via group chats, resulted in bruises, abrasions, and a trip to the hospital for the victim.
According to Zaobao, One of the girls, aged 17, who actively participated in the assault and filmed the incident, has been sentenced to 15 months’ probation and ordered to complete 80 hours of community service. Due to their age, the identities of the girls have been withheld from the public.
Victim Lured on False Pretence, Then Ambushed
The incident took place on 10 October 2024. The teenage assailants had earlier created group chats to plot the confrontation, citing a previous dispute with the victim. They conspired to lure her to SAFRA Choa Chu Kang under the false pretext of collecting personal items.
Once at the location, the victim was led to a fifth-floor accessible toilet. There, three girls — including the 17-year-old defendant — ambushed her. Moments later, another girl joined in, while a fifth teen, who wasn’t physically present, watched via video call and gave instructions on how to “punish” the victim.
Assault Filmed, Livestreamed & Timed
What makes this case particularly disturbing is the organised nature of the violence. The attack wasn’t just spontaneous — it was coordinated. The girl on the video call, dubbed Girl 5, instructed the victim to kneel and apologise, before directing the others to begin slapping and kicking her.
As the abuse escalated, one of the girls recorded the incident, while another kept the camera rolling to stream the assault live to Girl 5. The final round of abuse was even timed — 15 seconds of uninterrupted violence as the victim cried and begged for it to stop.
The victim sustained injuries including bruises on her face and abrasions across her body. She was treated at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and given a three-day medical leave.
Youngest Attacker Just 13 Years Old
All six girls — aged between 13 and 17 — were charged in court. Five were charged with rioting, and the sixth, who was orchestrating the attack remotely, was charged with inciting others to riot. All six pleaded guilty.
The court has since sentenced the 17-year-old girl who filmed the assault to 15 months’ probation with a nightly curfew from 10pm to 6am. Her mother and stepfather were also required to post a S$5,000 bond to guarantee her good behaviour.
The Dark Side of Teenage Groupthink
This case serves as a disturbing reminder of how quickly peer influence and social media tools can spiral into real-world violence. What might have started as a petty dispute snowballed into an orchestrated attack, leaving one teenager physically and emotionally scarred.
As Singapore continues to emphasise youth rehabilitation over punishment, this case also raises important questions about the role of digital accountability and mental health education in schools.