SOURCE: The Straits Times

A WOMAN who stabbed the man she believed had come between her and her girlfriend of three years was yesterday placed on probation for two years.

Teo Ming Min, 29, a graphic designer, could have been jailed for up to seven years and fined up to $10,000 for attacking operations coordinator Kelly Ong Bi Hao, 27, on New Year’s Day
this year. 

Teo pleaded guilty in June.

Calling it a crime of passion, Community Court Judge Ng Peng Hong yesterday noted that “romantic and sexual relationships arouse the strongest of human emotions”.

He said this was an exceptional case that did not warrant the usual jail sentence for a knife attack.

“In my view, it was a consequence of her falling out from a long-term relationship, seeing the victim coming out of a bedroom and compounded by her psychiatric condition that resulted in the commission of the offence,” the judge added.

Court papers stated that at 10am on Jan 1, Teo went to the Bedok flat of her girlfriend, Ms Lin Pei Ying, 27, to return a camcorder.

Seeing Mr Ong there, she questioned Ms Lin about him.

While the two women talked, he went to use the toilet. 

Teo became agitated and when he emerged, she stabbed him twice in the chest and once in the back.

She was arrested later that day when she went to Changi General Hospital to visit him.

Mr Ong, a divorcee, was discharged from hospital two days later.

Teo told police that she bought the knife, with a 14cm blade, that morning for “protection”.

She had pulled it out of her bag to threaten Mr Ong so he would listen to her but then lost all control, she said.

Her lawyer, Mr Ravinderpal Singh, said that his client cared deeply for Ms Lin and when the relationship was over, Teo became depressed.

A psychiatric report from the Institute of Mental Health confirmed that Teo’s anxiety and depression contributed to the offence.

Probation conditions imposed by the judge include continuing her medication and psychiatric treatment.

Teo’s parents also provided a $5,000 bond to ensure her good behaviour during the probation period.

The Straits Times understands that she and Ms Lin are no longer in contact.