A 40-year-old aesthetic doctor pleaded guilty on 5 Aug to four criminal charges. The charges followed a year-long harassment campaign against his former girlfriend. The campaign ended with a violent public abduction.
Chua Cheng Yu was convicted of using criminal force, causing intentional harassment, voluntarily causing hurt, and unlawful restraint.
The case returns to court on 1 Oct for sentencing. Three additional charges will be considered during sentencing.
Former Colleagues Became Romantic Partners
Chua founded Veritas Medical Aesthetics. He remains listed as a practising doctor on the clinic’s website. His former girlfriend, identified in court documents as Zhang, joined the clinic in 2021 as a manager.
The pair began dating in 2022. Their relationship featured constant quarrels and disagreements.
Zhang resigned in March 2023 as their relationship deteriorated.
Chua’s harassment escalated after her resignation. On 1 Apr 2023 at around 8pm, he forced his way into Zhang’s apartment after she opened the door.
Chua accused Zhang of cheating. He threw items around her house. He pushed her during the confrontation. Her head hit a wall. He left with her laptop and hair dryer.
He returned an hour later. He asked her to reconsider her resignation. She did not reply. He became angry and left again.
Chua returned after 10pm. They argued again. He snatched her phone and the remote control to her condominium gate.
Zhang fell backwards during another scuffle. Her head hit the floor after Chua pushed her. He drove off with her items.
At midnight, Chua returned to her residence. He asked her to meet at the lobby. He wanted to return her phone in exchange for her house key. He ran away after receiving the house key.
On 24 May 2023, Chua picked up Zhang after dinner to drive her home. He said he wanted to “secure their relationship” by keeping some belongings at her place. He requested that she store some belongings at his house.
Zhang declined his requests. She quickly left his car to return to her apartment.
Chua became angry. He began messaging and calling her multiple times on Telegram.
He received no response. He messaged her through a mobile game, threatening to share intimate photos of her.
Abduction Outside International Plaza Recorded on CCTV
On 1 Mar 2024, Zhang received several calls at her new company from Chua. She ignored them.
At around 10pm, she left her office. She stepped onto the street outside International Plaza. Chua pulled up in his car.
He got out to talk to her despite multiple rejections. He began crying and begging her to get into his car.
She continued to reject his requests. Chua became angry and grabbed Zhang in a bear hug to carry her to his car. He shoved her into the vehicle and slammed the door shut before speeding off.
The incident was recorded on public CCTV and by Chua’s own in-car camera. The footage was played in court on 5 Aug.
The video showed Zhang attempting to escape from his car. She crawled out of a window when he stopped at a traffic junction. Chua pulled her back in before speeding off again.
Zhang told him she needed to feed her cats at home. He agreed to drive to her apartment.
Zhang jumped out of a car window when they were close to her residence. Chua was distracted by her phone. She ran across the road to her condominium.
CCTV footage from the condo showed Chua sprinting after her. He tackled her to the ground. He dragged her across the road back towards his car.
Zhang broke free from Chua’s grip after struggling. She ran to a condominium security guard. The guard shielded her from him. Chua quickly returned to his car and drove off with her belongings still inside.
Zhang suffered multiple abrasions and bruises on her body from the abduction.
Chua was found and arrested at the basement of a hotel in Novena at 3:14am on 2 Mar 2024.
Mental Health Assessment Ordered
Court documents show Chua was diagnosed with major depressive disorder. The prosecution stated he was of sound mind when he carried out the abduction.
A report on suitability for a mandatory treatment order has been called for Chua. He will undergo treatment for his mental conditions instead of jail time if found suitable.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Benjamin Low said the prosecution would seek a compensation order. The amount will be derived from medical bills the victim incurred from the incident.
Zhang has submitted her own compensation claim.
