$3k fine for NUS student who deflated tyres of seven cars in Woodlands

Deputy Public Prosecutor Lu Huiyi said Chia deflated all four tyres for the first car and subsequently deflated one to two tyres of each remaining car.

He also left fliers on the cars’ windscreens.

Part of the flier read: “Attention – your gas guzzler kills. We have deflated one or more of your tyres. You’ll be angry, but don’t take it personally. It’s not you, it’s your car.”

Another line in the flier said: “We did this because driving around urban areas in your massive vehicle has huge consequences for others.”

DPP Lu said that when one of the victims was driving his car to a petrol station to reinflate the tyres, the car scraped against the curb of the carpark space, damaging the rear spat and requiring repairs of $380.

Chia has since made voluntary compensation of $380 to the victim.

He was arrested the same day he committed the offences.

While the offence of mischief is punishable with a jail term of up to two years, a fine, or both, the prosecution sought a fine for Chia.

DPP Lu noted that the damage caused was minor, and that Chia has made voluntary compensation and has no prior convictions.

An NUS spokeswoman previously told The Straits Times that it takes a serious view of student misconduct, including criminal offences committed off campus.

She had said that the university will take the necessary disciplinary action following court proceedings.

ST has contacted NUS for more information on Chia’s disciplinary action.