It’s easy to be impulsive when our emotions get the better of us. This is only exacerbated when alcohol is added to the mix.
In Nov 2021, Jean-Luc Kha Vu Han – ex-CEO of The Privé Group – entered a lift at Parklane Shopping Mall.
Intoxicated, he presented lewd questions to a 13-year-old and proceeded to physically and verbally abuse the boy when his advances were rejected.
Since then, the 44-year-old has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was found to be having a “manic episode” when the incident occurred.
The former CEO was ordered to undergo 12 months of mandatory treatment order (MTO).
According to TODAY, an Institute of Mental Health (IMH) psychiatrist found that Vu Han has bipolar disorder.
She determined that the mental condition had a “contributory link” to the offence and that the man likely experienced a manic episode during the incident.
As such, the psychiatrist recommended for Vu Han to receive MTO, which allows offenders with mental conditions to undergo treatment in lieu of jail time.
While calling the attack “deplorable”, District Judge Lim Tse Haw said Vu Han’s actions were “not so heinous” to rule out rehabilitation.
Furthermore, he said Vu Han had written a “sincere and heartfelt” letter of apology to the victim and offered compensation for his injuries. The offers were rejected by the victim’s parents.
Channel NewsAsia (CNA) reported that Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Goh Yong Nee reiterated that Vu Han’s bipolar disorder had to be considered together with alcohol consumption, which he had significant control over.
Furthermore, while the victim suffered only minor physical injuries, the incident left an “indelible scar” on his mental health.
In fact, the victim was so traumatised by the attack that he is reportedly still afraid of entering lifts and gets flashbacks of the incident.
Therefore, DPP Goh, who initially sought 8 weeks’ jail and a fine for Vu Han, told the prosecution that he is considering appealing the sentence.
Mental illness or not, the damage and trauma suffered by the victim shouldn’t be trivialised or ignored.
We hope the boy receives the necessary support so he can heal from the trauma.
Having said that, we also hope the offender finds himself in a better position mentally after undergoing the mandatory treatment.
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Featured image adapted from 8 World News and Google Maps.
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