When a Date Goes from “Coffee Meets Bagel” to “Wrongful Hero”
In the chilly afternoon of July 24, 2018, a young accountant named Paul Cheng met a senior marketing associate, Lucy, through the dating app Coffee Meets Bagel. Their chat started the same day, and even though Lucy warned that the date would feel “too fast,” Cheng was determined to keep the ball rolling.
“A Slightly Risky Adventure”
Cheng drove Lucy to Jurong Bird Park, arriving around 5:45 p.m. He thought a casual stroll with a couple of pigeons would crack the ice good. Instead, he began a parade of unwanted touches that pushed and tested Lucy’s boundaries. When she told him she was uncomfortable, he didn’t back off; he kept barking.
What Happened at the Park
- Cheng’s debut for unsolicited affection started with a hug that touched what should have been private areas.
- Lucy pulled back and asked him to stop, but he kept becoming a “spender” on her.
- After a short quick run, he tried to lift her bra and peeped into her dress—hard no.
- When they got inside a car, he leaned into her chest again. She steadied herself, moved away, and asked him to drive her to the nearest MRT station.
By the next day, Lucy filed a police report and blocked the app. She had also deleted the dating platform to keep it a closed chapter. In court, her lawyer dumped the timeline, recounting how the man persisted, recruited her into the park just as if it were a spontaneous cliff‑dive into the abyss.
Legal Hang‑Up
Paul was sentenced to five months in jail on July 26, fingers crossed and in a binge of fortitude. The judge noted that he had an early apology for his offense but found no reason to reduce the punishment. The maximum penalty could have been two‑years and a fine or a nine‑day cane further.
Facing the square of guilt, Paul’s attorney claimed that he was genuinely remorseful and offered to pay for the embarrassment. The court didn’t buy that. His sentence felt more like an Easter egg that was too bitter.
Lesson Learned?
- When handshakes go beyond handshake vibes, be ready to raise your voice.
- For any “well‑intended” date, keep the idea of mutual respect in the “dress code.”
- Make your run‑away plan—a lot easier if you’re ever in a park with a pigeon.
Final Take‑Away
Love is not about a man “making a move.” It’s about a person finding comfort and doubling down on consent. A good date stays mutual, and a bad one—well, turns a coffee shop story into a courtroom drama. Let’s hope the next week brings fewer ludicrous incidents and more uplifting love tales.
