SINGAPORE - A 16-year-old was convicted of rioting while armed with a deadly weapon, in an incident where he and five other teenagers attacked a 17-year-old at Buona Vista MRT station over a rape allegation.

The teen, who cannot be named due to a gag order, had confronted and attacked the victim on Sept 1, 2024 over a misunderstanding.

The group had accused the victim of raping one of their friends, but learnt during the incident that it never happened.

According to court documents, the teen and his accomplices, aged 13 to 17 years old, met the victim at the MRT station at about 11pm.

The group, which included two girls, then led him to the rail corridor near the station as it was more secluded.

There, the 16-year-old and two others began kicking and punching the victim while one of them filmed the attack with a mobile phone.

While the victim was on the ground, another member of the group allegedly shaved off his eyebrows.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Hairul Hakkim said: “At this point, the accused (the 16-year-old) brandished a deadly weapon, a flick knife measuring 9cm blade length, and pointed it at the victim and asked whether the victim wanted to ‘try the knife’.”

After the assault, the group made the victim lick the ground.

As a result of the attack, the victim suffered several injuries, including lacerations on his left cheek, multiple bruises on his back and abrasions on his knee and elbow.

He lodged a police report the day after the attack.

The 16-year-old was convicted on March 24.

On June 9, the court called for a report to determine if he is suitable for reformative training.

Young offenders ordered to undergo reformative training are detained in a centre to undergo a strict regimen that can include foot drills and counselling.

The teen, who is in remand, will be sentenced on July 17.

• Claudia Tan is a journalist at The Straits Times covering the crime and court beat.

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