Woman, 44, shoves girl, 8, into wall at MRT station, tells her mom 'she pushed me, so I pushed her back'

A 44-year-old woman has been sentenced to five days' jail after she shoved an eight-year-old girl, who had accidentally bumped into her on an MRT platform, into a wall.

According to Shin Min Daily News, the woman, Ho Hui Ling, pleaded guilty on May 25 to one count of reckless conduct causing minor injury to the child.

The case

The incident took place at around 9:05am on Jan. 16, 2025, at Buona Vista MRT station, when the platform was crowded with morning commuters.

Citing court documents, Shin Min reported that the girl, dressed in her school uniform, had just alighted from a train with her mother when she accidentally bumped into Ho while walking along the platform.

Upset, Ho followed the girl from behind and shoved her forcefully, causing her to hit a wall and cry.

Rather than apologising, Ho walked away, but not before whispering to the girl's mother: "She pushed me, so I pushed her back."

The girl later experienced pain in her head and shoulders, though she did not seek medical attention.

The girl's mother subsequently lodged a police report.

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage showed a crowded platform and Ho approaching the girl from behind before shoving her into the wall.

Ho was arrested on Jun. 10, 2025, and charged in court the following day before being released on bail.

Ho showed no remorse: Prosecution

In their submissions, prosecutors argued that while minor physical contact is not uncommon in busy MRT stations, Ho's retaliatory act against a young child warranted punishment, Shin Min reported.

They noted that Ho knew the girl was a student as she was in her school uniform, yet showed no remorse even as the child stood crying.

It was fortunate the shove had not caused more serious harm, said the prosecution, seeking a minimum one-week jail term for Ho.

The defence pleaded for leniency and urged the court to impose a fine instead.

However, the judge later ruled that a custodial sentence was necessary as a deterrent and sentenced Ho to five days in jail.