Fifth teen in rooftop vandalism case pleads guilty

Fifth teen in rooftop vandalism case pleads guilty

AN 18-YEAR-OLD yesterday admitted to spraying graffiti on the rooftop walls of a Toa Payoh housing block, becoming the last of five teens in the case to plead guilty.

Goh Rong Liang admitted to four out of five charges - one of vandalism, another of theft, and two others of criminal trespass.

So far, only one of the teens, David William Graaskov, 18, has been dealt with.

He was placed on 15 months' probation last month for theft and trespass.

Three others - Reagan Tan Chang Zhi, Chay Nam Shen and Boaz Koh Wen Jie - have pleaded guilty but have not been sentenced.

Tan and Chay will be back in court early next month while Koh has been remanded pending progress and reformative training reports on Feb 18.

Yesterday, the court heard that Goh was with his friends on May 6 last year when he saw a lorry that was carrying cans of spray paint in the carpark of Block 54, Toa Payoh Lorong 5.

He suggested taking a few cans of spray paint. After they had stolen four cans worth $12, it was suggested among the group that they should go and "spray" the rooftop of Block 85A.

All of them agreed and walked towards the block. About five minutes later, Graaskov left to catch the last bus home while the rest continued with their vandalism plan.

Goh, Tan, Chay and Koh managed to trespass onto the rooftop by climbing through a gap between the walls.

Using indelible red paint, they sprayed an expletive on the wall panels targeted at the People's Action Party. The panels cost $129 to repaint.

All five had also trespassed onto the rooftop of Marina Bay Sands condominium on March 29.

Goh's lawyer Aqbal Singh said the death of Goh's father in 2013 had been traumatic for him.

He added that Goh has dyslexia, which had gone undiagnosed, and is currently receiving counselling and help. He said the teenager intends to mend his ways.

District Judge Lim Keng Yeow called for a pre-sentencing report on March 12.

elena@sph.com.sg


This article was first published on Feb 10, 2015.
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