A 46-year-old man has been sentenced to 11 months and six weeks’ jail after he held an auxiliary police officer hostage with a knife during a frightening incident at the Geylang Serai Ramadan bazaar.
The court heard that the man, identified as Li Yongfeng, was suffering from untreated schizophrenia and alcohol-induced hallucinations at the time of the offence.
The shocking incident reportedly took place on the night of March 9 after Li consumed alcohol at the popular bazaar.
According to reports, Li had earlier argued with his wife over the phone before heading to Geylang Serai, where he drank three cans of beer.
Following the drinking session, he allegedly began hallucinating and believed that his former boss from China had travelled to Singapore to murder him.
MAN ALLEGEDLY BELIEVED POLICE WERE WORKING WITH FORMER BOSS
Court documents reportedly stated that Li believed his former boss had already harmed his family and burnt down his home.
He also became convinced that the Singapore Police Force was cooperating with his former employer against him.
While at the bazaar, Li allegedly stole a 15cm knife from one of the stalls before spotting a 41-year-old auxiliary police officer nearby.
Mistaking the officer for a regular police officer, Li allegedly decided to take him hostage so he could be escorted to the Chinese Embassy.
Dashcam footage circulating online showed Li approaching the officer from behind before grabbing him around the neck and threatening him with the knife.
Witnesses at the scene reportedly attempted to calm him down while others contacted the police.
Li was heard shouting demands for the police and Chinese Embassy to be called during the tense hostage situation.
PASSERS-BY MANAGED TO CALM HIM DOWN
Fortunately, passers-by managed to persuade Li to release the officer peacefully.
Reports stated that Li eventually realised he was putting the officer in danger, prompting him to drop the knife and apologise.
Members of the public then restrained him until police officers arrived at the scene.
However, the incident reportedly continued after his arrest.
While being transported to the Police Cantonment Complex, Li allegedly suffered another hallucination episode and believed the officers intended to hand him over to his former boss.
He then reportedly struggled violently and headbutted two officers before being subdued.
Li later faced multiple charges including theft, criminal intimidation, and voluntarily causing hurt to a public servant.
A psychiatric assessment found that his actions were linked to schizophrenia.
However, the judge reportedly noted that Li had refused medication and failed to cooperate with treatment, which contributed to the episode leading up to the offences.
He subsequently pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 11 months and six weeks in jail.