In a recent court trial, a woman faced charges of attacking a female police officer who was attempting to ensure her safety by trying to get her off the road.
According to Channel NewsAsia, the accused, Tatiana Kuriachaia, a Russian national aged 33, pleaded not guilty to four charges, including voluntarily causing harm to a public servant, using abusive language towards a public servant, and creating a public nuisance.
The incident occurred on April 27, 2019, when Sergeant Genevlene Ho Ting En, the alleged victim, and her colleagues responded to an unrelated case of rioting on Claymore Road during the early hours of the morning. Sgt.
Ho first noticed Kuriachaia sitting on a chevron marking in the middle of the road, between two lanes. Concerned for her safety, Sgt. Ho approached her and inquired about her presence there. Kuriachaia explained that she was waiting for her Grab ride.
Sgt. Ho, prioritizing Kuriachaia’s safety, requested her to move off the road and wait on the pavement for her ride. However, Kuriachaia insisted that she would remain on the chevron marking, believing that no cars would hit her.
Despite repeated attempts to persuade her, Kuriachaia refused to comply. The officers warned her of potential arrest if she continued to obstruct traffic.
During the confrontation, Kuriachaia resisted when Sgt. Ho attempted to handcuff her. Eventually, the officers managed to secure her hands behind her back according to standard operating procedures and escorted her to the police vehicle.
However, to everyone’s surprise, Kuriachaia manoeuvred her cuffed hands from the back to the front by slipping them under her legs.
Following this unexpected turn of events, Kuriachaia became verbally aggressive, questioning why she was being handcuffed and arguing that it violated her human rights.
In the struggle that ensued, Kuriachaia kicked Sgt. Ho, striking her hand and stomach. Sgt. Ho immediately called for backup, and the officers successfully re-cuffed Kuriachaia with her hands behind her back, securing an additional pair of handcuffs to her seatbelt.
Video footage from the police body-worn cameras revealed Kuriachaia’s agitation throughout the journey to the police lock-up. She continued to shout, demanding answers about her arrest and the officers’ identities.
At one point, she leaned toward Sgt. Ho, who attempted to push her away, resulting in Kuriachaia biting down on Sgt. Ho’s arm. This struggle lasted a few seconds, with Kuriachaia showing no intention of releasing her bite.
Kuriachaia was seen in the footage saying “I’m so dangerous right!” before asking the policewomen if she knows the law, saying that “I studied law,” and asking her “did you? How old are you? You look like you are f-ing 18! you know who my husband is? Unfortunately you don’t know, unfortunately for you.”
Sgt. Ho suffered a bruise from the bite and had to undergo blood tests at the hospital. In court, the defence questioned Sgt. Ho’s actions and conduct raised concerns about her treatment of the accused. Sgt.
Ho confirmed that she had reviewed the case with her commanding officer to address these concerns. Additionally, the defence challenged whether Sgt. Ho had checked for injuries immediately after hearing Kuriachaia’s screams and shouts of pain.
Sgt. Ho maintained that she had examined the accused for injuries while placing her into the police vehicle but found no visible signs of harm.
The trial is ongoing, and if Kuriachaia is convicted of voluntarily causing harm to a public servant, she could face a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment and a fine.
Due to her gender, caning is not a possible punishment.