An aesthetic doctor who harassed, assaulted and abducted his former girlfriend during their bitter breakup was sentenced on Wednesday (Sept 4) to a two-year mandatory treatment order (MTO).
Offenders placed on an MTO must undergo psychiatric treatment under supervision instead of serving a jail term.
Chua Cheng Yu, 40, had earlier pleaded guilty to four charges — unlawful restraint, voluntarily causing hurt, use of criminal force, and harassment.
Mental Health Considerations
Chua’s lawyers, Sunil Sudheesan and Joyce Khoo from Quahe Woo & Palmer, told the court their client had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, which contributed to his offending.
A psychiatrist from the Institute of Mental Health confirmed the link. Chua has since been receiving treatment and medication, and, according to his lawyers, now has “deep insight” into his condition and is committed to recovery.
Escalating Abuse
Chua first met the victim while working at Veritas Medical Aesthetics, a clinic he founded. They began dating in 2022, but the relationship was marked by quarrels and distrust.
By March 2023, tensions had escalated. On April 1 that year, Chua forced his way into her apartment, threw items around, and pushed her, causing her to hit her head against a wall. Later that night, he returned multiple times, seizing her phone and condo gate remote during arguments.
On another occasion, he threatened to leak her intimate photos when she ignored his messages.
Violent Abduction
The most serious incident occurred on March 1, 2024. As the victim left work late at night, Chua pulled up in his car, begged her to get in, and when rejected, grabbed her in a bear hug and shoved her inside.
CCTV and in-car footage showed her attempting to escape through a window at a traffic junction. Although Chua pulled her back, she later managed to jump out of the car near her home.
When she fled toward her condominium, Chua tackled her to the ground and dragged her across the road. She eventually broke free and sought refuge with a security guard, who shielded her from Chua until he fled.
She sustained abrasions and bruises in the ordeal.
Arrest and Sentencing
Chua was arrested in the early hours of March 2 at a hotel basement in Novena.
On Wednesday, the court accepted the psychiatric report linking his condition to his actions and imposed the MTO. The prosecution is also seeking a compensation order to cover the victim’s medical bills, while she has filed her own claim.
