Man charged after allegedly using catapult to shoot birds in Jurong West, damaging kitchen window

A man allegedly shot a catapult, containing metal and clay pellets, towards a flock of birds and a pellet caused $250 in damage to a second-storey kitchen window.

Yu Xueyao, 36, was charged on Wednesday (Sept 13) with committing a rash act that could endanger the safety of others, animal cruelty and being in possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

Court documents said Yu shot projectiles at the birds there to “cruelly terrify” them, reported The Straits Times.

On Feb 11, the police were alerted that one of the HDB kitchen windows at Block 645 Jurong West Street 61 was damaged.

It was believed that the damage to the kitchen window was caused by the impact from projectiles fired.

Through extensive ground enquiries, officers from Jurong Police Division established the identity of the man and arrested him along Jurong West Street 61 on April 24.

An assortment of clay pellets and metal pellets, two catapults, and a metal figure which was used for target practice were seized as case exhibits.

The offence of carrying offensive weapons in public places carries an imprisonment term of up to three years and caning with not less than six strokes.

The offence of rash act carries an imprisonment term which may extend to six months, or with a fine which may extend to $2,500, or with both. 

The offence of cruelty to animals carries an imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine not exceeding $15,000, or both.

His case will be mentioned again in court on Oct 11.