A 36-year-old Singaporean man has been sentenced to one year in prison after admitting to a series of violent offences involving his childhood friend and former girlfriend.
Donovan Doran Chung Yi Peng pleaded guilty in court on 14 August 2026 to three charges of voluntarily causing hurt. Four other charges, including similar offences, harassment and criminal intimidation, were taken into consideration during sentencing.
His one-year jail term was backdated to 28 August 2024, when he was first arrested after returning to Singapore following several years overseas.
Childhood friend suffered serious burns
The case dates back to 24 August 2019, when Chung and another friend went to a workshop in Eunos where his childhood friend worked as a carpenter.
The two men had reportedly been involved in a disagreement. At around 1.40am, Chung and his accomplice used lighters and cans of sealer spray found inside the workshop to start a fire, with Chung’s childhood friend also caught in the incident.
The victim managed to escape from the burning workshop but fell outside. Chung then confronted him about their earlier disagreement before leaving with his friend while the premises remained on fire.
The victim suffered burns covering about 11 per cent of his body and required skin grafting as well as several operations.
Fled Singapore and returned five years later
Following the incident, Chung and the other man left Singapore through Woodlands Checkpoint. Chung remained outside Singapore for about five years and avoided arrest during that period.
He was eventually detained in Thailand and sent back to Singapore in August 2024. He was arrested upon his return and released on bail the following day.
While still on bail, Chung became involved in another series of offences — this time involving his girlfriend, whom he had known since secondary school.
The couple began their relationship in August 2025. However, their relationship quickly became volatile, with Chung attacking her on two separate occasions.
Girlfriend attacked after he suspected infidelity
On 24 September 2025, Chung and the woman were at his home after she returned from a trip. He asked to look at her mobile phone because he suspected she had been unfaithful.
When she refused, Chung grabbed her arm and punched her several times in the face. He then stabbed her thigh with a pair of scissors while she was on the floor.
The incident resulted in a cut to her thigh as well as bruising around her eye and nose. She later sought medical attention, where the wound was stitched.
Despite what had happened, the pair continued seeing each other.
Less than a month later, on 13 October, another confrontation took place after the couple went out for dim sum around midnight.
Second assault involved threats with weapons
The pair later entered Chung’s car, where he repeatedly punched his girlfriend in the face and produced a knife to threaten her.
After arriving at his home at about 12.30am, the argument continued and Chung again assaulted her.
His father entered the room after hearing the woman call for help, but reportedly told the pair to resolve their disagreement before leaving.
Chung subsequently picked up a metal rod measuring about 80cm and threatened to hit her with it. He eventually put the object down after she pleaded with him.
The woman later received medical attention for multiple injuries, including bruises, cuts and abrasions affecting her head, legs and fingers.
The court also ordered Chung to compensate her S$785.35. If the amount remains unpaid, he will have to serve an additional two days in prison. As of 15 August, the compensation had not been paid.
Now engaged and expecting a child
Chung’s lawyer told the court that his relationship with the victim ended shortly after the incidents, having lasted only about a month.
During mitigation, the lawyer said Chung is now engaged to another woman and is in a stable relationship. The couple are also expecting their first child in October.
His lawyer argued that the impending arrival of the child had given Chung a renewed sense of responsibility and motivation to turn his life around.
The court ultimately sentenced Chung to one year behind bars, backdated to the date of his first arrest in August 2024.