Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

Two weeks’ jail for ex-producer who assaulted cops

SINGAPORE — She slapped a police officer and spat twice at another while intoxicated at Tanjong Beach Club in Sentosa.

SINGAPORE — She slapped a police officer and spat twice at another while intoxicated at Tanjong Beach Club in Sentosa.

For her actions, Zhao Xiaotian, 26, was sentenced to two weeks’ jail on Wednesday.

The former Mediacorp producer had earlier pleaded guilty to two charges of using criminal force on a public servant in the execution of duty.

Another six charges of criminal force against police officers and using abusive language towards them were taken into consideration for sentencing.

The court heard that on April 26 last year, Zhao met her friends at the club and began drinking alcohol.

At about 8.30pm, a security guard decided to investigate a commotion at the pool and found Zhao topless, with the woman having removed her bikini top.

She put her top back on when the guard told her to, but removed it again not long after. The guard then called the police when Zhao turned aggressive.

When one of the police officers, Sergeant Muhammad Fahmi Osman, asked to see Zhao’s identity card, she placed her black bikini top on his shoulder, then slapped his left cheek after the officer warned her about her behaviour.

Zhao also put up a violent struggle when she was being arrested.

Sgt Fahmi and Sgt Muhammad Hafiz Kamsari then attempted to escort her into the backseat of the police car, when Zhao spat twice at Sgt Hafiz. She continued to use abusive language on two other police officers who arrived at the scene later.

Zhao’s blood-alcohol level was found to be 121mg/100ml, which exceeded the legal limit of 80mg/100ml.

Her lawyer Nakoorsha A K, who asked for probation, said Zhao is “extremely remorseful and greatly regrets her actions”. Mr Nakoorsha noted that the New York University alumnus is an “educated young lady who has had a stellar academic record”.

Zhao had also written letters of apology to all four police officers.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Randeep Singh argued that probation is not sufficient, as members of the public could come to believe that those who challenge law enforcement officers could “get away with a lenient official response”.

For her offences, Zhao could have been jailed for up to four years and fined on each charge.

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.