Cyclist who jumped on car bonnet in East Coast sentenced to 5 days' detention

On Oct. 17, Nicolette Tan Shi-en, 33, has been sentenced to a five-day short detention order (SDO), The Straits Times (ST) reported.

In June 2023, Tan was caught on video getting into an altercation with a driver in East Coast.

The SDO sentence means that Tan will not have a criminal record after her release.

Tan pleaded guilty on Apr. 17, 2024, to one charge of harassing the driver, Elaine Michele Ow, 49.

One count of causing an obstruction along the road was also considered during sentencing, ST reported.

In February 2024, Ow pleaded guilty to a charge of rashly endangering the personal safety of others.

Ow had continued to drive her car even though the cyclist, Tan, was hanging on to it.

She will be sentenced at a later date.

Judge's judgement

On Tan's case, District Judge Janet Wang said, “As a legal professional, the accused is well-versed in the traffic rules and regulations. And it was precisely her perception of a traffic violation on Ow’s part that accounted for her confrontation with the latter," reported ST.

The judge added:

“The accused chose to remain in front of Ow’s vehicle to prevent her from fleeing the scene. It was a misplaced sense of vigilantism that went awry... The accused and Ow had exhibited anti-social and disruptive behaviour on a public road. Both women conducted themselves dismally".

Tan's brain tumour

During earlier proceedings, Tan was revealed to have been diagnosed with a brain tumour. This diagnosis was given shortly after the incident occured.

A psychiatrist said the tumour's onset was indiscernible but likely occurred before the incident.

Tan also had major depressive disorder.

In April, Tan's lawyers said it was "highly probable" the tumour influenced Tan's behaviour, as the tumour was located in the in the left frontal region of the brain, and could be the cause of personality changes, disinhibition, and impaired judgement.

No link to behaviour

The brain tumour, which was found to be benign, has been removed, reported ST.

The judge stated that according to a doctor's report, there was no causal or contributory connection between the brain tumour and her committing the offence, or her mental state.

According to ST, the judge also said, “Coupled with the fact that the accused was gainfully employed as a lawyer at the material time, I am not persuaded that the presence of the brain tumour had impaired her cognitive function and judgment in her personal capacity.”

The incident

On Jun. 2, 2023, Ow was driving along Still Road South towards East Coast Road.

Tan, the cyclist in yellow, could be seen riding on the road, keeping to the left.

The car then overtook the cyclist at the slip road.

Tan caught up with Ow at the junction of East Coast Road and Joo Chiat Road near i12 Katong. Tan confronted Ow and took issue with how she had overtaken along the single-lane slip road.

Tan then used her body and bicycle to block the car.

After apologising and trying to drive around Tan multiple times, Ow came out to move Tan's bike aside.

This caused Tan to jump on the bonnet of Ow's car in retaliation, holding on even when Ow started driving.

Tan eventually slipped off the car at the car park entrance of i12 Katong when the car stopped.

Top photos from Mothership and Singapore Incidents/YouTube