Actress Quan Yifeng given 15 months’ probation
Television host and actress Quan Yifeng has been given a 15-month probation sentence on Thursday morning for her clash in June last year with a taxi driver, after consideration of her probation report.
Local media reported that Quan was instructed to attend emotion management therapy and psychological counselling, and will also need to gain permission from her probation officer a week ahead of any travel plans she makes.
District Judge Low Wee Ping accepted her previous mitigation plea on 28 November, accompanied by a psychiatric report, which included the fact that the 37-year-old suffers from clinical depression, insomnia and anxiety.
He maintained that in doing so, he “was not condoning what she had done, but (allowed her probation) because of her strong mitigation factors, particularly her medical history,” reported Channel NewsAsia (CNA).
“What you have done and your background does not justify the offence,” the judge was quoted by TODAY as saying to Quan in handing down her sentence.
Apart from the charge of mischief that Quan pleaded guilty to in November, two other charges of kicking the right-side passenger door of the taxi, as well as pushing and trying to kick the 53-year-old driver were considered.
CNA reported that Quan’s grandaunt, who was present in court with her on Thursday, was required to post a $3,000 bond to guarantee the star’s improved behaviour. The sum could be forfeited and Quan could be summoned back into court should she commit further acts of mischief in future.
The actress told local media at a press conference held after the court hearing that she is happy the whole matter is over and said she would learn from it, reported CNA.
"Because of this incident, I have gained a complete understanding of myself," she was quoted as saying. "I really have a bad temper. I need to face this issue and drop this aggression towards other people," she added.
The artiste conceded that she "could have handled the matter better" but also pointed out that "it takes two hands to clap", reported CNA.
