Woman, 28, upset after 60-year-old bus driver boyfriend wouldn’t spend time with her, disrupts service and makes false police report
A 28-year-old woman who was unhappy that her 60-year-old bus driver boyfriend was not spending enough time with her tried to stop him from going to work, boarded the public bus he was driving, and disrupted the service.
She then made a false police report claiming that her boyfriend had stolen $400 from her and assaulted her, prompting police to intervene and forcing the bus driver to stop the bus.
On Aug 21, 28-year-old Tang Pei Si (transliterated) admitted to one charge of making a false police report and was sentenced to four days’ jail.
According to Shin Min Daily News, investigations revealed that Tang and her 60-year-old boyfriend, Hong Ya Rui, had been in a relationship for about 10 years at the time of the incident.
Hong was a bus driver based at Hougang Bus Interchange and would commute daily from Malaysia to Singapore on his motorcycle for work.
When he was on afternoon shifts, Hong would bring lunch for Tang, who was facing financial difficulties, and spend his lunch break with her at the interchange. During their relationship, Tang also borrowed money from him.
Before the incident, Tang had just returned $400 she had previously borrowed from Hong. She later changed her mind and asked for the money back, saying she wanted to buy clothes and shoes.
Hong refused, leaving her upset.
Woman stopped boyfriend from going to work
At about 2pm on Oct 6, 2024, Tang was waiting at the bus interchange for Hong to bring her lunch.
As it was raining that day, Hong, who was travelling there on his motorcycle, only arrived at about 2.25pm.
After handing Tang her lunch, Hong prepared to start work. However, Tang was unhappy that he did not spend time with her and resorted to tugging on his uniform in a bid to stop him from leaving.
Hong eventually pushed her hands away and walked off.
At about 2.43pm, Tang boarded bus service 112 driven by Hong and sat in the front seats.
Hong ignored her and continued driving. Tang, meanwhile, became increasingly angry over the $400 and what she perceived as Hong leaving her behind at the interchange.
She eventually called the police and falsely claimed: “The bus captain stole $400 from me and hit me. He is driving the bus now and I am on the bus.”
She also claimed that Hong had previously twisted her left arm.
Bus forced to stop, three passengers transferred
Police intervened following the report, and Hong was forced to stop the bus and suspend his service while waiting for officers to arrive.
The other three passengers on board also had to alight and transfer to the next bus.
During police investigations, Tang admitted that she had made the false report because of a personal dispute with her boyfriend.
Lawyer: Couple have reconciled
In mitigation, the defence lawyer said the case arose purely from a relationship dispute between the couple.
The lawyer said the pair had since reconciled, with Hong even attending court yesterday to support Tang.
Tang’s lawyer also said she was the sole breadwinner in her family and an only child. She has since found work as a cashier, and her life has gradually returned to normal.
Judge: False report disrupted public transport
However, the judge pointed out that Tang had deliberately made a false police report, disrupting the normal operation of public transport, and nearly causing Hong to be arrested while he was at work.
Meanwhile, the prosecution said Tang’s actions disrupted public transport, interrupted the journeys of at least three passengers, and resulted in four police officers being dispatched to the scene. It sought a jail term of one to two weeks.
The judge noted that Tang had been honest with the police when officers arrived, but stressed that her actions had nevertheless caused several hours of unnecessary disruption.
She was sentenced to four days’ jail.
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