A 66-year-old Singaporean man has been sentenced to six months and one week in jail after a series of offences that included directing a flame created from insecticide spray at his roommate during an argument and, in a separate incident, taking an 11-year-old girl’s slippers from a tuition centre.
Or Yong Soon pleaded guilty to three charges on Aug. 18, with several other charges taken into consideration during sentencing. The case involved voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation, mischief and theft-related offences.
The confrontation that ended in burns
According to court documents reported by Mothership and separately reported by Stomp, Or and his 66-year-old roommate, identified as Steven Tan, were living in a rental flat at Block 208A Woodleigh Link.
On March 22, the two men became involved in a dispute over their living arrangements.
During the confrontation, Or allegedly used an aerosol can containing insecticide and a lighter to produce a flame, which he directed towards Tan.
Tan suffered second-degree burns to his right hand and forearm. The wound was reported to be approximately 20cm long and 5cm wide, extending from his hand towards the middle of his forearm. He was subsequently given five days of medical leave.
The confrontation did not end there.
Court information reported by Stomp said Or also threatened Tan with a knife, struck him with a mirror and threw a fan at him. He later used the insecticide and lighter to set fire to Tan’s umbrella before throwing it from the flat’s window. The damaged umbrella was eventually found downstairs.
Tan fled the flat and contacted the police. Or was arrested the same day and charged two days later.
Then came the surprising second case
Months earlier, on Nov. 2, 2025, police received a report concerning a pair of black Adidas slippers worth about S$50 that had disappeared from a tuition centre in Woodleigh.
The slippers belonged to an 11-year-old girl, who had left them outside the learning centre.
Surveillance footage showed Or loitering around the tuition centre. He was then seen exchanging his own slippers for the girl’s slippers before leaving with hers.
The incident was subsequently investigated by officers from Woodleigh Neighbourhood Police Centre.
His mental-health condition was raised in court
The prosecution also highlighted Or’s history and mental-health condition during sentencing.
Reports said he had a depressive disorder that contributed to increased frustration and irritability and reduced his ability to exercise self-control. However, an assessment found that he was still able to understand that his conduct was wrong and unlawful.
The prosecution sought between five and six months’ imprisonment, while noting that Or had pleaded guilty at an early stage.
The court ultimately imposed a sentence of six months and one week.
Why the case is drawing attention
The case stands out because the offences involved two very different incidents: a dangerous confrontation between two elderly roommates that left one man with significant burns, and the seemingly minor theft of a child’s slippers.
But the slipper incident was not the reason for the bulk of the punishment.
The more serious conduct involved the use of an aerosol spray and open flame against another person, alongside allegations involving a knife, physical objects and the burning of property. The court also considered Or’s previous offending history, although the prosecution noted that his earlier offences were dated.
The case is a reminder that what may initially appear to be a bizarre or minor incident can form part of a much wider criminal case when investigated alongside more serious conduct.
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