Alina Meridian, who had initially claimed trial, pleaded guilty to an assault charge. PHOTOS: THE STRAITS TIMES
Shaffiq Alkhatib
The Straits Times
September 25, 2025
A man, who became upset when a Certis security officer wanted to conduct a bag check while he was at an MRT station, flung his bag to the ground and told the officer to pick it up if she wanted to do so.
Out of annoyance, Alina Meridian, 31, then pushed Ms Cindy Tay Jui Hwa, 65, causing the back of her head to hit the ground.
Ms Tay, whose head started bleeding, was rushed to the Emergency Department of Tan Tock Seng Hospital and was later given five days of outpatient medical leave.
On Sept 24, Meridian, who had initially claimed trial, pleaded guilty to an assault charge.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nicole Teo told the court that Meridian, a Singaporean, had gone to Lorong Chuan MRT station shortly before 8am on Aug 17, 2024, as he wanted to get to Aperia Mall in Kallang.
Ms Tay stopped him as he walked to a gantry and asked to check his bag.
The DPP said: "The accused became upset and threw his bag on the ground. He told Cindy that she could pick up his bag... if she wanted to conduct the security check.
"The accused and Cindy continued to exchange words. The accused refused to pick up his bag for the bag check. The accused also asked the security officers to hurry with the... check as he was in a rush."
Meridian then pushed Ms Tay on her shoulders from the front, causing her to fall. He then picked up his bag and went past the gantry towards the platform of the station, even though an MRT station manager tried to stop him from doing so.
The police said in a statement in August 2024 that officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division managed to establish Meridian's identity and arrested him the next day, on Aug 18 that year.
On Sept 24, the court called a report to assess Meridian's suitability for a mandatory treatment order. Offenders given such an order have to undergo treatment to address their conditions in lieu of time behind bars.
Meridian is expected to be sentenced on Oct 27.
For assault, an offender can be jailed for up to three years, fined up to $5,000 or both.
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[SRC] https://www.stomp.sg/singapore-seen/man-shoved-65-year-old-security-officer-during-bag-check-lorong-chuan-mrt-station
