Jun 9, 2010, The Straits Times

 

A MAN who broke the glass panels of a fire alarm and emergency call points at the Singapore Flyer was yesterday spared a jail sentence due to his depressive state and psychiatric problems. Property agent Aaron Lim Heng Shin was fined $4,000 on an amended charge of mischief. He had originally been accused of vandalism, which carries a minimum penalty of three strokes of the cane. 

The 32-year-old, who pleaded guilty, has already paid the Singapore Flyer $5,013 for the damage he caused. 

A Community Court heard that Lim was found loitering on the third level of the Singapore Flyer in Raffles Avenue at about 6am on Feb 10. 

Through closed-circuit television cameras, a security supervisor saw him damaging a fire intercom glass panel and contacted a security officer. They detained Lim. 

Lim’s lawyer, Mr Lim Hin Chye, said his client was devastated when his wife started divorce proceedings around October last year and left him, taking their two young children with her. 

Lim, who had suffered from psychiatric problems previously, went into severe depression. This was compounded by his unemployment and poor health at the time, added the lawyer. As a result, Lim took to drinking and drugs. 

After taking drugs on the morning of the offences, he came under the impression that his wife had taken his children to the Singapore Flyer. He went to the attraction to look for them and subsequently committed the offences. 

ELENA CHONG

 PS:- If you suffered from depression as a result of your unemployment and marital breakup, email me at gilbert@transitioning.org. We have a team of volunteer counsellors and career coaches ready to support you in  your recovery journey.  Don’t suffer alone…seek help. Gilbert