SINGAPORE, July 19 — A 56-year-old man has been charged after allegedly hurling a glass and a chair at a 14-year-old girl who refused his offer of beer at a Singapore neighbourhood coffeeshop, according to Shin Min Daily News.
The incident allegedly unfolded at about 7.10pm on July 15 at FoodHub @ Marsiling in Block 167 Woodlands Street 11, where the teenager had been waiting alone at a table while her parents ordered food for their two younger children.
According to a Facebook post by the girl’s mother, an intoxicated man seated at a neighbouring table allegedly approached her daughter and pressured her to drink beer with him.
When the teenager waved her hand to decline, her mother said the man suddenly became aggressive, hurled vulgarities at her and threw a glass and a chair in her direction as she tried to move away.
When the girl’s father returned to the table, the man allegedly continued shouting vulgarities before challenging him to a “1-on-1 fight”, according to the mother’s account.
The teenager was not physically injured, but her mother said the encounter left her deeply shaken.
“My daughter was left absolutely terrified. A 14-year-old child should be able to sit in a neighbourhood eatery without fearing for her physical safety, and families shouldn’t have to deal with drunken brawlers,” she wrote.
The mother added that staff at the coffeeshop told the family the man was a regular patron with a history of causing disturbances there.
She said she has lodged a police report and written to the coffeeshop’s management, as well as members of parliament, to raise concerns over safety at the premises.
According to Shin Min, the suspect, identified as Xie Jianzhong, was later questioned and arrested by police.
He has since been charged with criminal intimidation and was granted bail of S$5,000 (RM16,000).
The case has been adjourned until July 31.
If convicted of criminal intimidation, Xie could face up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
