Roof of HDB block in Toa Payoh vandalised

TOA PAYOH GRAFFITI CASE

Rooftop vandal given heavier sentence
By Danson Cheong, The Straits Times, 30 Jul 2015

Toa Payoh rooftop vandal Boaz Koh Wen Jie has been given a heavier punishment of reformative training, after Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon ruled in favour of the prosecution's appeal yesterday.

Koh was sentenced to 30 months probation last month, but the prosecution lodged an appeal and argued that this was too lenient.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Francis Ng had earlier pointed out that Koh had enrolled himself in a rehabilitation centre eight days before he pleaded guilty in January, and called this a "tactical manoeuvre" to get a lighter sentence.

DPP Ng urged the court to send Koh to the Reformative Training Centre (RTC), where he has to serve 18 months to three years, and undergo a strict regimen that includes foot drills and counselling.

Koh, 18, was one of five people who defaced the rooftop of a Housing Board block in Toa Payoh by spray-painting a profanity on it in May last year. The others have been given probation.

Yesterday, CJ Menon said that given the seriousness of the crimes - vandalism, theft and trespass, a term of confinement and deprivation of liberty was warranted so as to send out a stronger message of deterrence.

Calling the vandalism "vulgar", CJ Menon said: "The vandalism was done in a manner to shock and attract widespread attention."

In sentencing, he noted that there were two aggravating factors.

First, Koh had committed the crime while still on probation for an earlier offence.

Second, risk factors to Koh's reoffending, including a lack of interest in studies and a lack of family support, still persist.

But the Chief Justice noted that it was promising that Koh had shown signs of a "positive turnaround" while at the rehabilitation centre.

"I welcome these signs of reform and repentance," he said, and encouraged Koh to continue to mend his ways.

Koh's lawyer, Mr James Ow Yong, said his client had accepted the sentence, and was prepared for a stint in the RTC.

He said of Koh: "In the last six months, his attitude has really changed. Just look at the fact that he's prepared to accept RTC."

But Koh's father said the sentence was still too harsh. "Every child is naive, but he's made an effort to change," said Mr Koh, who declined to give his full name.

His teary-eyed wife told her son to take care and study hard when he was led away.

Probation for two more teenagers in rooftop graffiti case
By Elena Chong, The Straits Times, 3 Mar 2015

TWO teenagers who spray-painted graffiti on the rooftop of a block of flats in Toa Payoh were ordered to undergo 24 months of probation yesterday.

Chay Nam Shen and Reagan Tan Chang Zhi, both 18, had admitted to five of 10 charges of vandalism, theft and criminal trespass.

They are the second and third youths to be given probation after David William Graaskov, also 18, was sentenced to 15 months' probation in January for theft and criminal trespass.

The trio were part of a group of five who stole four cans of spray paint from a parked lorry in Toa Payoh Lorong 5 on the night of May 6 last year.

It was suggested among the group that they should "spray" the rooftop of Block 85A in Lorong 4.

Except for Graaskov, the rest, including Boaz Koh Wen Jie and Goh Rong Liang, proceeded to the rooftop after midnight on May 7 to vandalise the walls, spraying expletives against the People's Action Party.

Investigation further revealed that the five were also involved in other offences.

They had trespassed on the secured premises of Marina Bay Suites in Marina Boulevard on March 29 the same year.

Chay, Tan, Koh and Graaskov had also climbed over a fence to enter a construction site in Jalan Rajah some time between October and December 2013.

Under the probation order, Chay and Tan have to perform 180 hours of community service, and remain indoors between 10pm and 6am, as well as be electronically tagged for six months.

Their parents had to sign an $8,000 bond each to ensure their good behaviour.

Three teens accused of vandalism plead guilty
One was on probation when they sprayed graffiti on HDB block
By Elena Chong, Court Correspondent, The Straits Times, 29 Jan 2015

ONE of three youths who admitted vandalising the rooftop of a Toa Payoh HDB block with spray paint was on probation when they did it, a court heard yesterday.

Boaz Koh Wen Jie, Reagan Tan Chang Zhi and Chay Nam Shen, all 18, each admitted to five charges of theft, vandalism and criminal trespass.

Koh had been placed on 18 months' probation in October 2013, also for theft and trespass.

A fourth member of their group - David William Graaskov, 18 - was the first to plead guilty. He was given 15 months' probation on Monday for theft and trespass but took no part in the graffiti.

The case against an alleged fifth member, Goh Rong Liang, 18, will be mentioned on Feb 9.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Tang Shangjun said the group, who adopted the name Mikecool, stole four cans of spray paint worth a total of $12 from a lorry before committing the vandalism in the early hours of May 7 last year.

They decided to target the rooftop of Block 85A Lorong 4, where Koh, Tan, Chay and Goh had been twice before. They knew there was a gap they could climb through and they managed to gain access.

They waited about 10 minutes for the lights in an opposite unit to go off, then started spraying.

Koh, the court heard, even sprayed over his graffiti work - an expletive directed against the People's Action Party - as he felt it was not "dark enough". He also sprayed "wake up", with the others contributing to the vandalism.

It cost $129 to repaint the walls.

Investigations also showed that the five trespassed on to the rooftop of luxury condominium Marina Bay Suites in March and four of them climbed over the metal fencing to enter a worksite in Jalan Rajah in 2013.

DPP Tang said this case has attracted significant public and media attention, adding: "It was brazen, it was specifically targeted and laden with a message, and it was carried out atop a tall HDB block... a spot guaranteed to attract maximum attention."

He said the offences caused public disquiet and escalated in their offensive nature, with abusive language used in the graffiti. Of Koh, he said that probation had not been "a sufficient deterrence to change his pro-criminal mindset".

District Judge Lim Keng Yeow called for progress and reformative training reports on Koh, whose case will be mentioned on Feb 18. Tan and Chay will return to court on March 2, pending probation reports.

The maximum penalty for vandalism is a $2,000 fine or three years' jail plus three to eight strokes of the cane. For criminal trespass, it is three months' jail and a $1,500 fine, and for theft, three years and a fine.

Teen in HDB rooftop graffiti case gets 15-month probation
He pleads guilty to theft of spray cans and trespass at two places
By Elena Chong, The Straits Times, 27 Jan 2015

A TEENAGER who abetted his four friends in vandalising the rooftop of a Toa Payoh Housing Board block was placed on 15 months' probation yesterday.

Probation was recommended for David William Graaskov, 18, after he pleaded guilty to three of six charges - theft of four spray cans as well as criminal trespass at Marina Bay Suites and a construction site in Balestier.

His alleged accomplices - Boaz Koh Wen Jie, Reagan Tan Chang Zhi, Chay Nam Shen and Goh Rong Liang, all 18 - will have their cases mentioned in the Community Court tomorrow.

The court had heard that the group stole the spray cans worth $12 from a lorry parked in the carpark of Block 54, Toa Payoh Lorong 5, at about 11.45pm on May 6 last year. It was then suggested among the group that they should go and spray the rooftop of Block 85A in Lorong 4.

Although Graaskov had agreed to take part in the vandalism, he did not do so. He realised it was getting late and left the group to catch the last bus home.

The next morning, a resident called the police hotline to report that there was graffiti at the top of Block 85A. It was directed against the People's Action Party and splashed across a large, flat wall panel.

Further investigation showed that Graaskov was also involved in other offences. He trespassed on the Marina Bay Suites condominium with three others on March 29 last year. They managed to access the condo lobby, and took a lift to the highest floor. From there, they climbed a staircase to the rooftop to chat and smoke for about an hour.

Some time between October and December 2013, the four climbed over the gate of a construction site in Jalan Rajah to get onto a crane where they stayed for about two hours.

District Judge Lim Keng Yeow yesterday told Graaskov he was prepared to accept the probation officer's recommendations and give him one chance to undergo probation.

The teen could have been jailed for up to three years and/or fined for theft. For criminal trespass, he could have been jailed for up to three months and/or fined up to $1,500 per charge.

The judge ordered Graaskov, who was in court with his family, to stay indoors from 10pm to 6am and perform 80 hours of community service. Both his parents were each bonded for $5,000 to ensure his good behaviour.

Vandalism case: Teen guilty of theft, trespass

By Elena Chong, Court Correspondent, The Straits Times, 25 Dec 2014

A TEENAGER accused of abetting his four friends to spray- paint graffiti at the rooftop of a Toa Payoh block of flats pleaded guilty to theft and criminal trespass yesterday.

David William Graaskov, 18, who faced six charges, is the first in the group to be convicted of stealing four spray cans and, in separate incidents, committing criminal trespass at Marina Bay Suites and a Balestier worksite.

Post by The Straits Times.

The court heard that on May 6, he stole four spray cans worth a total of $12 from a parked lorry with Boaz Koh Wen Jie, Reagan Tan Chang Zhi, Goh Rong Liang and Chay Nam Shen - all 18 - at the carpark of Block 54, Toa Payoh Lorong 5.

He had trespassed on the upmarket condominium in March and the construction site in Jalan Rajah last year with Koh, Tan and Chay.

District Judge Lim Keng Yeow called for a probation report to be submitted on Jan 26, saying he would study it before deciding if time at a reformative training centre is necessary.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Tang Shangjun told the court that Graaskov never took part in the spray-painting and backed out not because he realised his folly but because he knew he would miss the last bus home if he stayed on the rooftop.

Graaskov had admitted being a conspirator who, together with his friends, stole the spray cans (* he did not proceed to the rooftop) before going to the rooftop of the Housing Board block to vandalise it.

The graffiti contained offensive language directed at the People's Action Party and the police.

Mr Tang said: "On May 7, Singaporeans in the vicinity of Block 85A, Toa Payoh Lorong 4, awoke to the sight of graffiti at the top of the said block, with words and vulgarities spray- painted in large red characters on a flat wall panel.

"The vandals had, it would seem, painted the town red in a most brazen manner."

The court heard that this was not the first time Graaskov had trespassed on the rooftop, as he had been there once previously.

On May 6, he left his friends at about 11.50pm as he realised it was getting late.He reached home at 12.15am.

Further investigation showed that on March 29, Graaskov, together with Koh, Tan and Chay, had trespassed on Marina Bay Suites after one of them managed to slip through a gap at the entrance to the condo and unlock the glass doors at the lobby. They then took the lift to the highest floor to hang out.

The court heard that on another occasion between October and December last year, Graaskov and the three friends climbed over the gate of the construction site in Jalan Rajah and stayed on a crane there for about two hours.

Graaskov's lawyer, Mr Choo Zheng Xi, highlighted that whether his client liked it or not, his association with the words and graffiti will stay with him for the rest of his life, despite the fact that he did not participate in the vandalism.

Teens charged with criminal trespass at Bishan MRT station
By Elena Chong, The Straits Times, 28 Jun 2014

THEY are accused of spray-painting expletives on a Housing Board block, discharging a fire extinguisher at an apartment rooftop, trespassing, stealing and damaging property.

Three of the five 17-year-old defendants added to the list of charges yesterday when they were accused of criminal trespass at Bishan MRT station as well. The five suspects face between four and 11 charges each.

Boaz Koh Wen Jie, Chay Nam Shen and Reagan Tan Chang Zhi are accused of climbing over fencing to get into the station between April and June last year.

There were no new charges for the other two, David William Graaskov and Goh Rong Liang.

The five were present in court yesterday for the third time, accompanied by their parents or family members.

All five, who are represented by lawyers, have already been accused of vandalism at the roof of Block 85A Lorong 4 Toa Payoh after midnight on May 7 this year. They had allegedly stolen four spray paint cans worth $12 from a lorry earlier.

They have also been accused of trespassing at the same rooftop on a previous occasion.

Tan and Chay are students at the Institute of Technical Education. The occupations of the other three are not known.

The group is also said to have entered the upscale Marina Bay Suites on Marina Boulevard illegally on March 29 this year. In addition, Koh, Chay and Tan have been charged with committing mischief by discharging a fire extinguisher and causing $70 worth of damage at the building's 65th-storey rooftop a month earlier.

All except Goh had allegedly also trespassed at a Jalan Rajah worksite between October and December last year. Koh faces the most charges - 11. These include spray-painting graffiti on the rooftop of another block on Toa Payoh Lorong 4 on March 28.

Lawyer Rajvant Kaur, who is representing Tan through the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, told the court she had just been briefed on the case and asked for an adjournment. Tan had been unrepresented earlier on.

A pre-trial conference has been scheduled in a community court on July 29.

The accused have each been granted bail of $12,000 on condition that they remain indoors between 10pm and 6am. If convicted of vandalism, they could be fined up to $2,000, jailed for up to three years and given between three and eight strokes of the cane. The maximum penalty for criminal trespass is three months' jail and a $1,500 fine.

Teens in vandalism case face more charges

They are also accused of trespassing and stealing spray cans from a lorry
By Elena Chong, The Straits Times, 17 May 2014

THE five teens accused of vandalising the rooftop of an HDB block in Toa Payoh 10 days ago had apparently been up there before, a court heard yesterday.

Between end-April and early this month, Reagan Tan Chang Zhi, Chay Nam Shen, Boaz Koh Wen Jie, David William Graaskov and Goh Rong Liang had all trespassed on the roof that they are now charged with spray painting on May 7.

Fresh charges tendered against the five 17-year-olds also show that they stole four spray cans from a lorry in a carpark in front of Block 54, Lorong 5, late on May 6 before proceeding to the rooftop of Block 85A, Lorong 4, to carry out their graffiti-spraying at about 12.30am the next morning.

Four of them - Goh, Tan, Chay and Koh - are alleged to have committed criminal trespass to gain entry to the roof, while Graaskov is charged with conspiring with them to commit the vandalism.

Tan and Chay are students at the Institute of Technical Education, but it is not known what occupations the other three hold.

All five are also accused of trespassing on secured premises at Marina Bay Suites on Marina Boulevard on March 29.

Three of them - Tan, Chay and Koh - had allegedly gone there earlier in February and used a fire extinguisher at the 65th-storey rooftop of the upscale condominium, causing $70 damage to property.

All except Goh are also alleged to have trespassed at a worksite in Jalan Rajah, off Balestier Road, by climbing over the metal fence, some time between last October and December.

Koh, who faces nine additional charges, is said to have committed another act of vandalism on March 28 by using spray paint to deface the walls of the rooftop of Block 60, Lorong 4 Toa Payoh.

One of the five fresh charges against Graaskov accuses him of removing a reflective vest worth $5 from the rooftop of Block 122 in the same estate.

Tan and Chay each have eight additional charges, and Goh, four.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Tang Shangjun told District Judge Eddy Tham that there may be additional charges tendered at a later date.

"We are still reviewing the matter on this. Investigations are not entirely complete yet," he said.

In particular, DPP Tang said police are conducting forensic investigation on digital devices seized.

Goh is represented by Mr Aqbal Singh; Chay by Mr Tan Hee Joek; while Koh and Graaskov are represented by Mr Ravinderpal Singh and Mr Choo Zheng Xi respectively.

Anxious family members were in court to hear the charges being read yesterday.

Each of the accused is out on $12,000 bail on the condition that they remain indoors between 10pm and 6am. The five will be back in court on June 27.

The maximum penalty for vandalism is a $2,000 fine or three years' jail plus three to eight strokes of the cane.

5 teens charged with vandalism in roof graffiti case

By Kimberly Spykerman, Channel NewsAsia, 10 May 2014

Five teenagers, believed to be behind the vandalism at the rooftop of a Toa Payoh HDB block, were charged in court on Saturday.

They were arrested on Friday - two days after the vandalism was first spotted by residents.

The five 17-year-olds were brought to the State Courts in a police van early on Saturday morning.

Sporting casual clothes and shaved heads, Reagan Tan, Boaz Koh, Chay Nam Shen, Goh Rong Liang, and David William Graaskov were expressionless as the charges of vandalism with common intention were read to them.

Goh asked to make a phone call to inform his family of his arrest, as he had been arrested at work.

His request was declined by the district judge, who then directed the police prosecutor to get the investigating officer to inform the boy's family.

The five are believed to be responsible for graffiti that was spray-painted on the rooftop walls of Block 85A, Lorong 4 Toa Payoh.

The graffiti contained vulgarities directed at Singapore's ruling party.

The police prosecutor told the court that the five teenagers were also believed to be involved in other similar cases.

They have been remanded a week for further investigations, and will be back in court on May 16.

It is still not clear how the vandals managed to get to the rooftop of the 22-storey block as investigations by the Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council indicated there was no breach of security measures.

This was according to the coordinating chairman for the People's Action Party (PAP) Town Councils Dr Teo Ho Pin.

Vandalism carries a jail term of up to three years or a fine of up to S$2,000 and at least three strokes of the cane.

Roof of HDB block in Toa Payoh vandalised
By Alice Chia, Channel NewsAsia, 7 May 2014

The roof level of a 22-storey Housing and Development Board block was painted with graffiti containing vulgarities and criticism of a political party in an apparent case of vandalism.

Pictures of the graffiti were circulated on social media sites on Wednesday morning.

Police said they received a call at 6.47am requesting for assistance at Blk 85A, Toa Payoh Lorong 4.

"Upon police's arrival, it was established that a case of vandalism had occurred at the said location," a police spokesman said.

A contractor at the scene told Channel NewsAsia that residents had called the Town Council's 24-hour hotline to complain about the graffiti.

The access hatch to the block's parapet was locked when the police tried to enter the site on Wednesday morning.

According to a Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council staff member, who did not want to be named, the water tanks on the roof top had not been tampered with.

"I don't know how they managed to get up here. The police are investigating,” said the staff member.

“They can't get access to the roof level because it is locked. You would need the key and our approval."

At around 11.30am, workers were seen painting over the graffiti.

Residents Channel NewsAsia spoke with said they only noticed something was amiss when police officers called on them to ask questions.

"I slept at 1am. So basically, when I went to bed, it was quiet and usually if anything outside happens, I can hear it," said Yeo Huie Lin, a resident.

However, they had concerns about the incident.

Resident Ambrosia Yap said: "They can go up to the water tank. This is also a very terrible problem because… you won't know what they can put in the water. And probably they need to check on it and they should have some policemen around these few days."

A spokesperson from Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council said the Town Council keeps the key to the trapdoor that gives access to the rooftop and that authorised personnel must sign for the key and be accompanied by an auxiliary police officer.

The Town Council said no one has requested for the key and it has handed the records to the Police for their investigation.

The town council said the security process to control access to the rooftops has remained intact.

However, it will review all the processes again and strengthen them where necessary.

"No breach of security measures" in HDB roof vandalism case
By Saifulbahri Ismail, Channel NewsAsia, 8 May 2014

There was "no breach of security measures" by the Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council in relation to the vandalism case in Toa Payoh on Wednesday.

Coordinating Chairman of the People's Action Party (PAP) Town Councils, Dr Teo Ho Pin, said this on Thursday in response to queries by Channel NewsAsia.

Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) were seen combing Block 85A Toa Payoh Lorong 4, a day after the vandalism took place.

The roof level at that block of flats was painted with graffiti containing vulgarities seemingly directed at the ruling party.

This was possibly the second time unauthorised persons have managed to get onto the rooftop of an HDB flat.

In 2011, a foreign domestic worker's body was found in a rooftop water tank in Sembawang.

Dr Teo stressed that the PAP town councils take a serious view of the security and safety of roofs and water tanks at HDB blocks.

He said that over the last three years, the town councils have set up a security protocol on rooftop access.

Dr Teo said: "The town councils have set up three lines of defence to make sure that (only) authorised personnel can go up to the rooftop of our HDB flats.

"So we have, first of all, secured locks to make sure that all the trap doors and all the doors are properly locked using a very robust lock system.

"We also make sure that our water tanks are all with brackets -- they are all bolted down to make sure that nobody can vandalise (them).

"At the same time, we have an authorised access system where only authorised persons can go up the roof."

The town councils believe the present security system is adequate to prevent any unauthorised access to the roofs. However, they will need to evaluate if the breach is caused by other factors.

Channel NewsAsia has been trying to figure out how the vandals could have reached the rooftop without using the trap door.

Looking at the place, one can see a small opening which leads to the roof. There are also stains on the walls, which could mean that the vandals could have placed a ladder against the walls to get to the opening.

A ladder was found beneath the access hatch to the rooftop.

Residents have also suggested the use of close-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to deter unauthorised entry to the roof.

Police have plans to install CCTV cameras at 10,000 HDB blocks and multi-storey carparks by the fourth quarter of 2016.

The Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council said it has filed a police report and is cooperating with investigations.

Tight security measures for roof access in HDB estates

RECENT reports on the vandalism at the rooftop of a Housing Board block in Toa Payoh on Wednesday have raised some concerns over the security of HDB rooftops ("Probe into graffiti atop HDB block"; Thursday).

I assure our residents that People's Action Party (PAP) town councils have already taken measures to tighten rooftop security. Since 2011, PAP town councils have adopted a three-pronged strategy to tighten the security of roof access.

First, all our lock sets, including those of water tank covers, roof access and pump rooms, have been changed to non-duplicable locks. These lock sets are robust, with restricted key control.

Second, only authorised personnel approved by the town council are allowed to access the rooftops. All authorised personnel working on rooftops must wear security vests issued by the town councils. An auxiliary police officer or town council staff will be present to escort them for each and every assignment.

Finally, there is bolting or fastening of steel brackets over the water tank covers to safeguard the security of rooftop water tanks.

The security protocols were developed and adopted in consultation with the police and PUB. A roof access standard operating procedure was also drawn up to reinforce this importance.

Our property officers on site will continue to conduct regular checks on these areas through scheduled inspections.

I assure residents that PAP town councils take a serious view on the security of our roof access.

Teo Ho Pin (Dr)
Coordinating Chairman
PAP Town Councils
ST Forum, 10 May 2014

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