When an Elevator Turned Into a Stand‑In for a Real‑Life Drama
Grab a cup of coffee – this one’s a bit of a headache. Singapore’s high‑rise mall security panels never knew what they’d be up against when a moon‑lit night in 2019 saw a 13‑year‑old boy and his brother caught in a lift-clogged showdown.
The Main Event: Blood, Bullying, & Broken Elevator Doors
- Scene‑setting: It was the Parklane Shopping Mall, on a wet evening at the 5th floor. The elevator stopped, the boys were inside, and two men joined the ride. One of them—Frenchman Vu Han Jean‑Luc Kha, a 44‑year‑old executive—quickly started spewing lewd jibes.
- Fight‑time: Kha, clearly intoxicated, punched the young victim in the left temple. The blow sent the boy sliding back against the handrails, leaving a bruised temple and a packed panic‑provoked heart.
- Escalation: The teenager grabbed at Kha’s hands, yelling, “You want to challenge me? Why do you want to challenge me?” The other man stepped in, shoved Kha out of the lift, and the chaos continued because the lift doors refused to shut.
- When teenagers fought back: With the doors open, Kha slapped the boy again, this time on the cheek, and pushed him, never giving up the fight.
- Police intervention: A witness woke up the pair at the mall’s main entrance and, at the security gate, flagged them to the authorities.
Medical Aftermath & A Vetgrated Old‑School Helpline
The victim was rushed to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital and treated for a bruisered temple and a spring‑like bruising around his left arm. The headlines say he still harbors flashbacks – not surprise, right? The boy, now about 23, still gets chills whenever the elevator creaks.
Legal Drama: “All in the Twist”
Charges & Plea
- Kha pleaded guilty to both assault and harassment on Oct. 21 in a district court, and he is already served on the bench.
- His defense argued he was bumpy‑mood‑driven (bipolar disorder), asking for a mandatory treatment order (MTO) that would let him get therapy instead of jail.
The Prosecutor’s “Moral Pitch”
Deputy Public Prosecutor Goh Yong Ngee blasted the court, “We want at least eight weeks of jailtime because the boy was a vulnerable child.” He tried to push the judge to skip the MTO route, saying that rehabilitation, punishment, and general deterrence were prime pitches.
The Judge’s Decision
- Judge Lim Tse Haw denied the MTO request and is slated to impose a sentence on Dec. 14.
- Assault: up to 2 years in jail & a $5,000 fine.
- Harassment: up to 6 months in jail & a $5,000 fine.
Bottom Line
What started as a routine ride turned into a crime scene that not only scarred a teen but also prompted Singapore’s courts to hit the brakes on their usual execution. Meanwhile, the victim kept paying for the drama in a lifetime of flashbacks.
Why It Matters
- It’s a wake‑up call that even high‑rise living can feel hostile if you’re a kid.
- It reminds us that drinking and the lack of foresight leads to lifelong psychological damage.
- And perhaps, if you’re ever stuck in a lift with a cranky stranger, try opening the door, breathing, and remember you’re the captain of your own story.
This piece originally came from The Straits Times, but we’ve had a little creative remix.
