Singapore Teen Receives Probation for Railway Trespass
A 17-year-old offender in Singapore has been sentenced to 18 months' probation after intruding onto Mass Rapid Transit train tracks during operational hours and filming passing trains.
The teenager accessed the railway between Tanah Merah and Simei stations by climbing through scaffolding structures, spending approximately five to ten minutes on the tracks while recording video footage. He subsequently uploaded the content to his Instagram account, leading to his identification by authorities.
Court Proceedings and Sentence
The youth, who cannot be named due to legal restrictions, pleaded guilty to endangering the safety of railway passengers and an unrelated criminal trespass charge. District Court imposed strict conditions including nightly curfew from 10pm to 6am and 80 hours of community service.
His parents were bonded for $5,000 to ensure compliance with the probation terms. The offender must also undergo mandatory psychiatric and psychological assessments as directed by the court.
Details of the Railway Incident
Deputy Public Prosecutor Xu Sijia outlined how the teenager planned the intrusion after observing scaffolding structures near Upper Changi Road in January 2025. On March 27, 2025, he waited for construction workers to leave before concealing his identity and entering the restricted area.
The prosecution noted that the offender lay beside the tracks to avoid detection while filming approaching trains, crossing to the opposite side while continuing to record. He observed between four and six trains during his unauthorized presence on the railway.
The video initially appeared on his private Instagram story but was later reposted by others, prompting the teenager to delete his secondary account when the footage began circulating widely.
Separate Trespass Incident
In an unrelated matter, the same individual committed criminal trespass on May 16, 2025, when he climbed to the rooftop of a Housing Development Board residential block. Wearing only underwear and shoes, he accessed the 16th floor and climbed onto the building's exterior.
When police responded to reports from concerned residents, the teenager attempted to evade arrest by entering an elderly woman's apartment through an open window. He hid under the 86-year-old resident's bed for approximately 30 minutes before surrendering to authorities.
The prosecution emphasized that such reckless behavior endangered both the offender and innocent members of the public, while potentially disrupting essential transport services relied upon by Singapore's commuters.