Jail for cyclist who hit elderly woman near coffee shop, chided injured victim lying on ground then rode off
https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/jail-cyclist-hit-elderly-woman-coffee-shop-chided-victim-rode-2373036
Jail for cyclist who hit elderly woman near coffee shop, chided injured victim lying on ground then rode off
Closed-circuit television camera footage from July 23, 2022 showing cyclist Farhana Dini (left) colliding with an older woman.
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- Farhana Din, 43, was sentenced to two weeks' jail for causing grevious hurt
- She had collided with an 80-year-old while cycling along a walkway near a coffee shop in Bedok in July 2022
- As the injured woman lay on the ground, Farhana scolded her and rode away from the scene
SINGAPORE — While cycling along a narrow walkway next to a coffee shop, Farhana Din crashed into an elderly woman. Instead of helping her, the cyclist chided the injured woman as she lay on the ground before cycling off.
The 80-year-old woman was left with a fractured femur (leg bone) and right wrist and required two surgeries.
On Thursday (Feb 29), Farhana, 43, a cleaner, was sentenced to two weeks' jail for causing grievous hurt.
She appeared forlorn in court, and had attended the hearing with her mother who was in a wheelchair, as well as other family members.
WHAT HAPPENED
Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Ashley Poh told the court that on July 23, 2022 before 1.30pm, Madam Lee Chye Choo, a retiree, was at a coffee shop in Bedok buying her lunch.
As she set foot on the pavement, Farhana hit her while riding a bicycle, causing the older woman to fall "forcefully onto the ground".
"The accused did not slow down, alight or stop despite seeing that there were at least four patrons standing in the walkway of the coffee shop," DPP Poh said.
Surveillance footage from the coffee shop played in court showed Farhana colliding into Mdm Lee, before Farhana crashed into a nearby table and some chairs.
"The accused saw that Mdm Lee had fallen to the ground and scolded her for not looking out. She then rode off while Mdm Lee was on the ground," DPP Poh added.
The older woman was taken to Changi General Hospital after bystanders called for an ambulance.
As a result of her fractures, the victim had to undergo two surgeries. Her medical fees of about S$8,800 were covered by insurance.
LEFT DUE TO ANXIETY
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DPP Poh sought a jail term ranging from one week and two days to three weeks, noting that Farhana had not stopped for Mdm Lee and even chided her.
On behalf of Fahana, Mr Muhammad Taufiq Suraidi from the Public Defender's Office, pleaded for a more lenient jail term of five days.
"At the point in time (when the incident happened), the accused was rushing home to attend to her mother who is elderly, immobile and in a wheelchair," he said.
Farhana was heading home after receiving a call from her mother of whom she was sole caregiver.
"She had heightened anxiety at the time and was shocked when she collided with the victim. In shock, she focused on her mother, rushed home and acted that way," Mr Taufiq said.
"She admits what she did was wrong."
District Judge Kow Keng Siong questioned if Farhana was remorseful, noting that she had left the scene while telling off the victim.
In response, Mr Taufiq said that Farhana had admitted her wrongdoing when approached by the police and admitted her guilt early.
For causing grievous hurt through a rash act, she could have been jailed for up to four years or fined up to S$10,000, or both.
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