SINGAPORE — While attempting to escape from a Land Transport Authority (LTA) enforcement officer who had caught her riding her personal mobility device (PMD) illegally on a footpath, Jin Ng Teng collided with a boy outside Hougang Primary School.

Ng, who did not stop to check on the boy, managed to elude the officer but was ultimately arrested at her boyfriend’s home later that day.

Ng, now aged 19, was sentenced to 15 months’ probation on Wednesday (March 2) after pleading guilty to four charges. These included causing hurt by a negligent act and riding an unregistered PMD.

She was working as a part-time delivery rider for technology firm Grab at the time.

The court earlier heard that the incident happened on Oct 30, 2020.

Two LTA enforcement officers had been looking out for errant PMD users when they saw her riding on the footpath along Hougang Street 91 towards Hougang Street 93.

PMDs had been banned from footpaths since April that year.

The officers followed her in a van and stopped at a junction, before one of the officers alighted and walked towards her. He showed her his LTA pass and told her to stop.

She sped away instead, riding at more than 10 km/h on the footpath towards Hougang Primary School.

The school entrance was crowded at the time as many parents were sending their children to school.

The victim’s mother was waiting at a nearby bus stop to take her son to a childcare centre, after taking her daughter to school. The boy sat on the bus stop bench while his mother stood beside him.

Ng then rode towards them while shouting: “Move, move!”. She failed to keep a proper lookout and struck the boy’s right arm and hand.

She then continued riding and stopped at a nearby public housing block where she went to the seventh storey to evade the LTA officers.

She then went to her boyfriend's house where she was arrested in the afternoon.

Investigations further revealed that she had previously tried to register her PMD online but it did not comply with UL2272 safety requirements.

UL2272 is a safety standard that reduces the risk of fires.

Meanwhile, the victim was unable to bend his fingers as a result of the injury. He was taken to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital in an ambulance where he complained of pain over his right shoulder, thumb and head.

He was diagnosed with bruises and given a day of medical leave.

As part of her probation conditions, Ng has to remain indoors from 11pm to 6am and perform 40 hours of community service.

Her family posted a bond of S$5,000 to ensure her good behaviour.

Those convicted of causing hurt by a negligent act can be jailed for up to six months or fined up to $2,500, or punished with both.