A 40-year-old Singaporean aesthetic doctor, Chua Cheng Yu, has been sentenced to a 24-month mandatory treatment order (MTO) for abducting and threatening his former girlfriend. The offences, which took place in 2023, shocked many in Singapore due to their violent nature.
Assault and Harassment During Relationship
Chua first met the 33-year-old victim in 2021, when she began working as a manager at Veritas Medical Aesthetics, where he practised. They started dating in 2022, but their relationship was frequently troubled with quarrels and temporary breakups.
On April 1, 2023, Chua forced his way into the woman’s condominium, repeatedly ringing her doorbell and covering the peephole. Inside, he shoved her into a kitchen counter, threw objects around, and physically scuffled with her as she tried to prevent him from taking her belongings. During the incident, the victim hit her head on a wall. Later that night in the condominium car park, Chua pushed her, causing further injuries to her head and legs. She required treatment at Tan Tock Seng Hospital for a scalp haematoma, forearm contusions, and multiple bruises.
Threats and Abduction Outside Home
The harassment continued even after the initial assaults. On May 25, 2023, Chua sent threatening messages via Telegram and a mobile game chat, demanding that the victim answer his calls and threatening to share intimate images online. Alarmed, the woman contacted the police.
On March 1, 2024, while out on bail for previous offences, Chua abducted the victim outside her workplace at International Plaza. He restrained her in a bear hug, dragged her into his car, and drove off. The victim attempted to escape multiple times but was forcibly brought back. Intervention by a security guard and a neighbour eventually prevented further harm. She suffered a sternum fracture, head injuries, and multiple abrasions. Chua was arrested the following day at Oasia Hotel Novena.
H2: Court Ruling and Psychiatric Treatment
A psychiatric report from the Institute of Mental Health confirmed that Chua has suffered from major depressive disorder since April 2023, which may have affected his judgment, though he was deemed fit to stand trial. He pleaded guilty to four charges, including harassment and using criminal force.
Instead of jail, the court imposed a 24-month MTO, a community-based order requiring treatment for psychiatric conditions. The MTO can last up to 36 months and is aimed at rehabilitating offenders with treatable mental health issues.
Chua’s case highlights the serious consequences of domestic harassment and the legal measures Singapore employs to protect victims while addressing mental health concerns in offenders.