Woman Admits Guilt for Damaging $1,330 Lion Dance Costume

SINGAPORE – A woman has pleaded guilty to causing significant damage to a lion dance costume by pouring coffee on it and kicking it, actions that were part of a misguided attempt to stop her son from taking part in a competition. The incident took place on July 29, 2023, at the West Coast Community Centre, where Lim Sok Lay, 52, intentionally damaged the costume, worth $1,330, which was subsequently rendered unusable.

Lim and her husband, Cheang Eng Hock, 60, who also took part in the disruptive act, are set to be sentenced in the coming weeks. The couple had previously been involved in a series of incidents, including an altercation with their neighbour, a nurse at Sengkang General Hospital, in 2021. On that occasion, they harassed the neighbour by calling him a “Covid spreader” and spraying disinfectant at his home.

Lim was charged with mischief and criminal force in relation to the lion dance costume incident, while her husband will plead guilty on February 21. Lim’s actions caused a 10-minute disruption during the lion dance performance, resulting in the permanent damage to the costume. Following the incident, she was escorted from the premises.

In addition to the lion dance incident, Lim also pushed a man multiple times at a Punggol coffee shop on February 1, 2023, after suspecting him of scratching her grandson’s nose. Her lawyer clarified that she had acted out of concern for the child. The couple has committed to compensating for the damaged costume.

The legal consequences for mischief can include up to two years of imprisonment, a fine, or both, while criminal force could result in a maximum sentence of three months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,500, or both.