18-year-old girl who assaulted two others denied home probation as parents cannot control her

SINGAPORE — A teenage girl who assaulted two other girls in one night has been found unsuitable for home probation, because her parents are too permissive and cannot assert control over her. 

A prosecutor on Friday (Jan 3) argued that Joyce Goh Kok Tin, 18, should be sent to the prison-run Reformative Training Centre (RTC) instead. 

The centre, which is in the Changi Prison Complex, houses young offenders aged between 14 and 21 in an environment where they do not mix with adult convicts.

On the evening of Dec 17, 2018, Goh, together with some friends, beat up a 17-year-old girl, punching her in the face and lips, over relationship issues.  

Barely four hours later that same night, she left another 15-year-old girl with a broken nose, after crashing a birthday party at a condominium in the East Coast area. 

Goh's probation suitability report had found that she and her parents share a “very close relationship”, and that they bond over meals and shopping.

However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Cheng Yuxi pointed out that Goh continues to be closely associated with her group of friends, some of whom have criminal antecedents, and that her parents cannot assert control over her.

PLEA FOR HOSTEL RESIDENCY

As home probation was found unsuitable, Goh's lawyer, Mr Ng Kwong Loong, tried to fight for her to be sentenced to probation at a hostel residency – an approved institution housing young offenders on probation – instead of being sent to the RTC.

According to a probation officer who was present in court, this form of probation would typically release young offenders for home leave over the weekends. 

Goh had initially told a probation officer that she would not like to stay in a hostel as she wanted to remain under the supervision of her parents, but Mr Ng said she has since changed her mind.

“I submit that a hostel environment is softer and more gentle on my client,” he said, adding that Goh has anger management issues, attempted suicide in 2015 and has inflicted self-harm by slashing herself on the wrist and thighs.

“My client is not a rotten person, which necessitates specific deterrence,” Mr Ng said. 

This is Goh's first brush with the law, and she does not do drugs, is not an alcoholic and had obtained good feedback from supervisors at work, he added. 

“She is a prime candidate for rehabilitation. My client’s best years are ahead of her… She is prepared to be placed in a hostel to instil some discipline and order in her life.”

During deliberations, District Judge Seah Chi-Ling asked Goh's probation officer if she were suitable for probation with a built-in residency term.

The officer said she would need more time to conduct further interviews and assess this option.

The judge ended Friday’s session by calling for the supplementary probation report.

Goh is to return to court on Jan 31 to be sentenced.