Boy sentenced to reformative training for drugging sex worker and robbing salon in Geylang plot
A 14-year-old Chinese national boy in Singapore teamed up with a Malaysian man in 2022 to commit theft and drug-related crimes, including drugging a sex worker and stealing luxury items worth over S$47,000. He has now been sentenced to at least one year of reformative training.
Revenge Plot Led to Geylang Robbery
The court heard that the teen—then 14—initially plotted revenge against a 71-year-old hairdresser in Geylang who had allegedly insulted his girlfriend. On October 14, 2022, he and his 38-year-old Malaysian accomplice arrived at the salon armed with a toy gun. The man choked the victim from behind while the boy took S$900 in cash. Dissatisfied with the haul, they planned a more lucrative scheme targeting a sex worker.
Drugging and Robbery of Sex Worker
In the second incident, the Malaysian man arranged a meeting with a 40-year-old sex worker. Posing as a client, the teen laced a beer with sleeping pills and gave it to the woman. Once she was unconscious, he let the man into her home, where they stole valuables including two Rolex watches valued at S$40,000 and jewelry. The next day, the victim filed a police report, leading to the duo’s eventual arrest.
Rolexes Sold, Necklace Gifted
Court documents revealed that the stolen Rolex watches were later sold for S$24,000. The man gave the teen S$1,500 and even gifted a necklace taken from the victim to the boy’s girlfriend. The duo believed sex workers would not report the crime, but the victim’s swift response brought the case to light.
Close Relationship With Accomplice
The teen had met the Malaysian man, surnamed He, in September 2022 while purchasing a SIM card in Geylang. They stayed in touch regularly, with the boy calling him “big brother.” The man confided in the teen about his debts and initially considered stealing from his own flatmates, who he suspected were sex workers, before executing the plan with the teen instead.
Underage Driving While Out on Bail
In April 2024, while on bail, the teen took his girlfriend—who was pregnant at the time—on a drive using her mother’s car. He was spotted driving against traffic along Jalan Besar and Plumer Road. Police officers stopped the vehicle and discovered he was driving underage, adding traffic violations to his list of offences.
On April 28, 2025, the teen, now 17, was sentenced to a minimum of one year of reformative training after pleading guilty to six of 16 charges, including housebreaking and drug-related offences. He is also barred from obtaining a driving licence for one year. His counsel said the teen had learned his lesson and hoped to return to school to complete his education.
This case highlights the growing concern of youth involvement in serious crimes in Singapore, and the influence of adult criminals on minors. While legal outcomes may differ across borders, such high-profile incidents raise shared concerns in nearby nations like Indonesia about how early delinquency and cross-border criminal ties can shape long-term consequences for communities and regional security.
Sources: Mothership (2025), Shin Min Daily News (2025)
Keywords: Singapore Teen Crime, Drugging Case, Malaysian Accomplice, Rolex Theft, Reformative Training
