After consuming alcohol continuously throughout National Day 2022, 40-year-old Chen Yongsheng set fire to decorations and Singapore flags, endangering the surroundings and causing significant damage.
As the situation escalated, he even discarded his shorts and threw them into the fire and walked home without any clothes on.
In April, he pleaded guilty to a mischief charge, while an additional charge of public indecency for not wearing any clothes was taken into consideration during his sentencing.
He was sentenced on Tuesday (27 June) to 70 hours of community service and mandated a three-month day reporting order (DRO), which required him to report to a day reporting center for monitoring and counseling.
Rather than imposing a custodial sentence, the court opted for community service and the DRO. This alternative approach aims to rehabilitate the offender and provide supervision and support, focusing on addressing the underlying issues that led to the offense.
By requiring Chen to report to a day reporting center, he can receive counseling and guidance to overcome his problematic behavior.
During the court proceedings, Deputy Public Prosecutor Jonathan Tan highlighted the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Chen had attended an event at the coffee shop in the block where he resided, indulging in alcohol throughout the day.
He consumed several bottles of beer and a significant quantity of liquor. The prosecution emphasized that no further damage occurred after the fire, as it eventually extinguished itself.
District Judge Prem Raj acknowledged Chen’s cooperation and willingness to comply with the conditions of the order.
The judge recognized the positive change in Chen’s behavior, noting that he had ceased socializing with friends and prioritized spending time with his four children.
However, the judge also emphasized that any future offenses resulting from Chen’s drinking problem would likely lead to a custodial sentence, once all other avenues of support had been exhausted.