One Man, One Mirror, Six Weeks in Prison
In a scene that could have been taken straight out of a sitcom (but for the real‑life consequences), a 31‑year‑old Singaporean named Joel Tan Qing Wei took a taxi’s side‑mirror literally to the next level. He used a motorcycle helmet as a “smack‑down weapon” and let a stream of profanity flow into the driver, who was stuck with passengers—including a little kid—on the inside of the car.
How the Drama Unfolded
- Location: Service road beside Block 804B Keat Hong Close, Choa Chu Kang.
- Victim: A yellow taxi and its unsuspecting passengers.
- Victim’s reaction: “No one was hurt,” the police reported, but one passenger was seen holding the child tight while yelling police.
- Evidence: Two separate videos captured the chaos, and they went viral faster than a meme.
The Viral Video
See what happened: Tan, waltzing in a dark T‑shirt, pulls a helmet from the ground and smacks it against the taxi’s mirror. He then unleashes a barrage of expletives that could amplify a coffee‑shop hiss‑hiss session into a thunderstorm of rudeness.
Legal Consequences
- Charges: Harassment (1 count). Mischief (1 count).
- Sentence: Six weeks in jail and a $2,000 fine.
- Judge’s Take: District Judge Eddy Tham called Tan’s act “no place here,” and that “thuggish behaviour is not the Singapore way.”
- Potential Penalties (for comparison): Harassment could lead to up to 6 months’ jail and a $5,000 fine. Mischief might get a year’s jail.
Why It Matters
While laughter might tickle the stomach, the incident is a sore reminder of how quickly a single rotten mood can upset the entire day of a stranger—including a child!
So next time you’re driving, keep your helmet at the correct place—on the bike, not as a “ticket‑to‑happiness” to hit mirrors.
