Man accused of attacking Madrasah students diagnosed with 'delusional disorder'

A man accused of attacking three Madrasah students suffers from a “delusional disorder" and "delusions of persecution", a District Court heard Monday (Apr 25).

Koh Weng Onn, 48, was diagnosed with the mental disorder after a psychiatric evaluation by the Institute of Mental Health, where he was held after being charged on Apr 4.

Koh had been accused of assaulting the students, three girls aged 14 to 16, while they were on their separate ways to Madrasah Al-Ma'arif Al Islamiah.

Koh faces three charges, including two counts for committing a rash act by swinging a plastic bag containing a 1.5-litre bottle of water at the faces of two of the schoolgirls. A third count of causing hurt to a third student by kicking her right thigh was "racially aggravated", the charge sheet stated.

In court on Monday, Deputy Public Prosecutor Goh Yi Ling said the prosecution is seeking clarification from IMH on the nature and cause of Koh’s delusions, as well as on the recommended course and length of treatment required for Koh.

DPP Goh also urged the court remand to remand Koh in prison, arguing that he poses a danger to the public, as the psychiatric report said his risk of re-offending is high.

Koh’s lawyer Sunil Sudheesan said he would not object to Koh being remanded in jail if the prosecution handed a copy of the psychiatric report to prison authorities, so Koh could receive psychiatric treatment in prison.

“It’s clear that he has quite a serious psychiatric condition,” Mr Sudheesan said, adding that this did not affect Koh’s fitness to plead. He also urged the prosecution to reconsider the charge stating that Koh’s assault was “racially aggravated”.

Koh’s case will be heard again on May 9.

For committing a rash act causing hurt, Koh faces up to a year in jail and/or a fine of up to S$5,000. For causing hurt which is "racially aggravated", Koh could be sentenced up to three years' in jail and/or fined S$7,000.