Ng Cheng Tiam v Public Prosecutor: Appeals on Common Intention to Cause Grievous Hurt Sentencing

Ng Cheng Tiam, Yap Kiat Ching, Ngo Ngoc Anh, and Siaw Wee Leong appealed against their sentences for charges of common intention to cause hurt which caused grievous hurt. The High Court, applying the approach laid down in *Ang Boon Han v Public Prosecutor*, allowed the appeals and reduced the sentences. The court found the original sentencing framework used by the District Judge inappropriate and substituted it with the approach outlined in *Ang Boon Han*.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

General Division of the High Court of the Republic of Singapore

1.2 Outcome

Appeal Allowed

1.3 Case Type

Criminal

1.4 Judgment Type

Brief Remarks

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Appeals against sentences for causing grievous hurt with common intention. The High Court reduced the sentences, applying the framework in Ang Boon Han.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Ng Cheng TiamAppellantIndividualAppeal AllowedPartialWong Siew Hong
Public ProsecutorRespondentGovernment AgencyAppeal AllowedPartialSean Teh Lien Wern, Jonathan Lee Wai Kit
Yap Kiat ChingAppellantIndividualAppeal AllowedPartialWong Siew Hong
Ngo Ngoc AnhAppellantIndividualAppeal AllowedPartialWong Siew Hong
Siaw Wee LeongAppellantIndividualAppeal AllowedPartialWong Siew Hong

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Aidan Xu @ Aedit AbdullahJudge of the High CourtYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Wong Siew HongEldan Law LLP
Sean Teh Lien WernAttorney-General’s Chambers
Jonathan Lee Wai KitAttorney-General’s Chambers

4. Facts

  1. The appellants were charged with common intention to cause hurt which caused grievous hurt.
  2. The District Judge applied a sentencing approach in *Public Prosecutor v Loi Chye Heng*.
  3. The High Court found the sentencing approach in *Public Prosecutor v Loi Chye Heng* inappropriate.
  4. The High Court applied the sentencing framework laid down in *Ang Boon Han v Public Prosecutor*.
  5. Yap Kiat Ching was the instigator of the attack.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Ng Cheng Tiam v Public Prosecutor, Magistrate’s Appeal Nos 9049, 9050, 9051 and 9052 of 2024, [2024] SGHC 315

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Judgment reserved
Judgment issued

7. Legal Issues

  1. Sentencing for causing grievous hurt with common intention
    • Outcome: The court reduced the sentences, applying the framework in *Ang Boon Han*.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Related Cases:
      • [2024] 5 SLR 754

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Reduced Sentences

9. Cause of Actions

  • Common Intention to Cause Hurt
  • Grievous Hurt

10. Practice Areas

  • Criminal Appeals

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Ang Boon Han v Public ProsecutorSingapore Law ReportsYes[2024] 5 SLR 754SingaporeEstablished the framework for sentencing in cases under section 323A of the Penal Code.
Public Prosecutor v Loi Chye HengSingapore District CourtNo[2021] SGDC 90SingaporeThe sentencing approach in this case was found to be inappropriate.
Saw Beng Chong v Public ProsecutorSingapore Law ReportsYes[2023] 3 SLR 424SingaporeCited to determine the starting point for sentencing in cases involving multiple fractures.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Penal Code 1871Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Common intention
  • Grievous hurt
  • Sentencing framework
  • Indicative starting point
  • Symmetry
  • Aggravating factors
  • Mitigating factors
  • Plea of guilt

15.2 Keywords

  • Criminal law
  • Sentencing
  • Grievous hurt
  • Common intention
  • Appeal

16. Subjects

  • Criminal Law
  • Sentencing
  • Criminal Procedure

17. Areas of Law

  • Criminal Law
  • Sentencing
  • Criminal Procedure