Autistic youth acquitted of assaulting parents

He was later remanded at IMH. His sister, and subsequently his neighbour, stood as his bailor, and he lived alone in a hotel as bail conditions prohibited him from residing with his parents.

But his parents admitted him to IMH again in July as he could not cope with living alone.

While family violence must be deterred, the judge said there is less need for deterrence and retribution in this case.

He noted the youth’s status as a young first-time offender, and his reduced culpability given the circumstances.

“A person suffering from a mental illness that leaves him unable to appreciate the nature and consequences of his actions will not be deterred by the prospect of a custodial sentence,” wrote the judge.

But the youth’s probation officer found he was unsuitable for probation, noting that he needed more intensive psychiatric treatment in a structured setting.

His IMH psychiatrist assessed that he was not suitable for an MTO, given that his outbursts had continued despite ongoing treatment and other factors. An MTO lets offenders undergo treatment to address mental health conditions in lieu of jail.

The prosecution proposed reformative training, where young offenders are detained in a centre to undergo a strict regimen, but the judge said the option “appears to sit uncomfortably” due to its deterrent and punitive effect.

In March 2026, the youth alerted police that he was at risk of hurting himself. He was detained at IMH under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act.

An Attorney-General’s Chambers spokesperson said the application for acquittal was made “after careful consideration of the facts and circumstances of the matter”, including the youth’s ongoing detention at IMH.

Judge Quan noted that the youth expressed remorse for hurting his parents. “Particularly poignant was his acknowledgement that his parents loved him very much and never pressured him,” said the judge.

Though the court cannot mandate the youth’s rehabilitation, the judge outlined four points that would help in the process: adhering to treatment, attending rehabilitative programmes, being meaningfully engaged in activities like work, and anchoring on others’ support.

Eng said his client’s parents were relieved by the outcome.

“Every time I saw (his mother) in court, she would be in tears,” said the lawyer.

Veteran lawyer Peggy Yee, co-chair of the Inclusive Justice Taskforce, believes it is the first time an acquittal has been granted to a person with special needs charged with family violence offences.

“That the (judge) worked with parties on an intensive exercise to tailor an appropriate sentence is a very heartening step forward,” said Yee.

This case exemplifies a gap she has seen in existing sentencing options for offenders with invisible disabilities, which the task force will address.

She said the task force, which was formed in January and includes lawyers, policymakers and caregivers, is also considering ways to steer such individuals away from the justice system.

Eng said the case showed him the importance of community effort in resolving cases in the best interests of such individuals, “as opposed to just sending (them) to prison and washing our hands of it”.

“Everyone involved in this case felt a huge sense of responsibility and worked towards that goal.”