Man who slapped Amos Yee jailed three weeks

A man has been sentenced to three weeks’ jail for slapping Singaporean teen Amos Yee outside the State Courts.

Neo Gim Huah, 49, pleaded guilty for the incident which was caught on video outside the State Courts on 30 April.  He was arrested the next day.

Neo, who is self-employed, told the courts he took offence at parts of the video posted by the 16-year-old blogger, who is charged with making offensive remarks against Christianity and for circulating an obscene image. He said he found some of Yee’s comments about Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew disrespectful.

Neo said he knew it was wrong to hit Yee but said he could not control himself. He also said slapping Yee would instill fear in him and teach him a lesson.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Winston Man had argued for a two-week jail sentence, saying Neo’s actions were pre-meditated and had strong elements of vigilantism.

Neo could have been jailed for up to two years and/or fined up to $5,000.