Woman apprehended by police at Novena Square after allegedly pouring soup on man's head & biting his hand
The woman was heard shouting at the police officers, accusing them of bullying her.
Julia Yeo | October 14, 2020, 09:27 PM
A video of a woman being apprehended by four police officers at a shopping mall circulated on social media.
Woman apprehended by police in shopping mall
On Oct. 14, the video was shared on various Facebook groups, including Singaporean politician M Ravi, who called the "arrest" unacceptable, remarking that it was unlawful and a "serious offence" to handcuff someone in public.
According to Ravi, the video was shared with him by a lawyer who requested for him to help the woman in the video.
Woman accused police officers of "bullying"
In the video, the woman was heard shouting at the police officers, accusing them of infringing on her human rights.
"You are taking away my functions and you are bullying me," the woman was heard saying as she raised her voice.
After a police officer promptly grabbed her wrist, appearing to handcuff her after she took a step away from the officers surrounding her, she showed signs of resistance, shouting at the officers.
"Stop it, stop it! It's not necessary. This is not necessary and it is against human rights!" the woman was heard screaming.
Two other police officers were seen speaking to another man beside them.
The woman was eventually taken away by the four officers.
Woman was apprehended under Mental Health Act after pouring soup on man and biting his hand
In response to Mothership's queries, the police said that the woman was apprehended on Oct. 13, 2020 under the Mental Health Act.
She shouted at an unrelated man inside a restaurant, allegedly pouring soup over his head.
In a confrontation with the man, she ended up spitting at him and bit his hand as well.
The man was conveyed to Tan Tock Seng hospital afterwards.
During the engagement with the officers in the mall, the woman continued to shout incoherently.
The woman's next-of-kin who had arrived at the scene also could not calm her down.
As she was assessed to be posing a danger to herself and the public, she was subsequently apprehended by police officers under the Mental Health Act.
Here is the full statement from the police:
On 13 October 2020 at 4.24pm, the Police received a call for assistance at Novena Square.
A 35-year old woman had shouted randomly at an unrelated male patron in a restaurant and allegedly poured a bowl of soup over his head. In an attempt to confront her, a scuffle ensued which led to the woman spitting at the man and biting his right hand. The 32-year old man was conscious when conveyed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
During the engagement with the officers in the mall, the woman continued to shout incoherently. The woman's next-of-kin who had arrived at the scene also could not calm her down. As she was assessed to be posing a danger to herself and the public, she was subsequently apprehended under Section 7 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act.
The woman is also being investigated for voluntarily causing hurt and using criminal force to deter a public servant from carrying out his duties. She had hurled verbal abuse and also spat on the officers in the process.
The woman is currently receiving treatment at the Institute of Mental Health.
