SINGAPORE – A man diagnosed with schizophrenia and placed under a mandatory treatment order (MTO) in 2024 for offences including mischief has been sentenced to jail and caning after breaching the order and reoffending.
Jareau Tan Yang Han, 26, was sentenced to two years and 12 weeks’ jail and six strokes of the cane on May 21.
Offenders issued an MTO have to undergo treatment to address their mental health conditions in lieu of time behind bars. Despite this, Tan reoffended in February 2025 when he exposed himself and performed a sexual act in front of a male food delivery rider.
On Aug 7 that year, he tried but failed to rob a 17-year-old girl while kicking her chest and abdomen. He also assaulted a four-year-old boy later that day.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Dillon Kok, who noted that Tan was in a state of psychotic relapse at the time of his latest offences, urged the court on May 21 to sentence him to two years and 15 weeks’ jail, and six strokes of the cane.
DPP Kok said a psychiatrist’s view was that Tan was “not so psychotic” that he had entirely lost his sense of reason, memory and understanding.
Quoting the psychiatrist, the DPP added: “His schizophrenia would, accordingly, be regarded as having conferred only a partial contributory link to his offending behaviours at best.”
Before handing down the sentence, District Judge Eddy Tham said Tan posed a danger to society, and can receive treatment when he is behind bars.
Tan had pleaded guilty to one count each of attempted robbery, assault and sexual exposure.
Without revealing details, DPP Kok said that in January 2024, Tan was placed on a two-year MTO for mischief and property-related offences.
He added that Tan’s criminal conduct took a “violent turn” in his latest string of offences.
