Former TransCab cabby charged over viral incident at Far East Plaza taxi stand involving couple and baby

SINGAPORE — A taxi driver was charged in court on Thursday (Dec 5) with criminal intimidation and causing hurt, after he was fired from taxi operator TransCab over two incidents that went viral about two weeks ago.

The police said that Feng Zhanning, a 42-year-old Singaporean, was arrested on Wednesday at Woodlands Checkpoint. 

They did not elaborate if he was leaving or entering Singapore.

The incident that Feng was hauled to court for happened on Nov 24. He is believed to be involved in another road rage incident two days earlier but was not charged over it. 

Videos of the incidents subsequently went viral on social media.

On Nov 24 at about 10pm, Feng is accused of committing criminal intimidation with the intention to cause physical injury by swinging a pair of pliers at Mr Conceicao Benedict Gerard and his partner, Ms Susanna Soon, at the taxi stand of Far East Plaza shopping mall on Scotts Road.  

Ms Soon was carrying a five-month-old at the time but the infant was not hurt.  

Feng allegedly pushed Ms Soon with his hand, causing her to fall backwards and sustain abrasions on her right palm.

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The police said that Feng was involved in a dispute with his passengers.

While Feng was not charged over the earlier case on Nov 22, the police said that he had confronted a car driver along Paterson Hill after the other driver sounded his horn at him. 

They added that during the confrontation, Feng kicked the other vehicle before using his fist and elbow to hit the car, causing damage to the vehicle. The other driver was unhurt.

District Judge Adam Nakhoda ordered Feng to be remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for psychiatric evaluation. He will return to court on Dec 19.

If convicted of criminal intimidation, he could be jailed for up to two years, fined or both. A similar punishment applies to causing hurt.