12 months’ jail for man who set childhood friend on fire, attacked girlfriend while on bail
A man set his childhood friend on fire and fled Singapore for five years. He was arrested when he returned and released on bail. While out on bail, he attacked his then girlfriend, believing she had been unfaithful. He was sentenced to 12 months’ jail after pleading guilt…
Intelligence analysis by Llama
A man who set his childhood friend on fire and fled Singapore for five years was sentenced to 12 months’ jail after pleading guilty to three charges for causing hurt. He also attacked his then girlfriend while out on bail.
A man named Donovan Doran Chung Yi Peng did some very bad things. He set his friend on fire and hurt him badly. He also hurt his girlfriend by punching her and stabbing her with scissors. He was very sorry for what he did and promised to change. He was sent to jail for 12 months.
Analysis
Background
Donovan Doran Chung Yi Peng, a 36-year-old man, was sentenced to 12 months’ jail on August 14 after pleading guilty to three charges for causing hurt. Chung had a long history of violent behavior, dating back to 2019 when he set his childhood friend on fire and fled Singapore for five years.
The Attack on the Childhood Friend
On August 24, 2019, Chung and two others, including his friend Toh Wei Tiong, 44, went to a workshop in Eunos where the childhood friend was working as a carpenter. Using lighters and cans of sealer spray found there, Chung and Toh set fire to the carpenter and the workshop. The carpenter ran out of the workshop and fell to the ground. The third man with Chung and Toh then used a cloth to put out the fire on the victim’s pants. Chung scolded the victim about their earlier disagreement and left shortly after.
The Attack on the Girlfriend
While out on bail, Chung attacked his then girlfriend multiple times, causing injuries including stab wounds, leading to medical treatment and police involvement. The couple had been in a relationship for about a month, and the attack occurred on September 24, 2025. Chung suspected his girlfriend might have been unfaithful and asked to see her phone. When she refused, he pulled her by the arm and punched her face multiple times. As she lay on the floor in a cradled position, Chung used a pair of scissors to stab her thigh. She screamed, alerting Chung’s domestic helper, who then informed his mother.
The Court’s Decision
In mitigation, Chung’s lawyer Devlin Mohyong from Invictus Law said Chung is now engaged and in a stable relationship with another woman. The couple are expecting their first child in October. Mohyong said the impending birth of the child has given Chung a renewed sense of responsibility, and he is now determined to remain on the straight and narrow. For voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous means, Chung could have been jailed for up to seven years, fined and caned.
Key points
- Donovan Doran Chung Yi Peng was sentenced to 12 months’ jail for causing hurt.
- Chung set his childhood friend on fire and fled Singapore for five years.
- He attacked his then girlfriend while out on bail, causing injuries including stab wounds.
- Chung is now engaged and expecting a child, which has motivated him to change.
- He was ordered to pay compensation to his ex-girlfriend.
The fact that Chung is now engaged and expecting a child suggests that he has turned over a new leaf and is committed to changing his behavior. This could be a positive development for his future and for the people around him.
However, Chung's history of violent behavior is a concern, and it is unclear whether he has truly changed. His sentence is a reminder of the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, and it is possible that he may continue to pose a risk to others in the future.
