Child Endangerment Penalty
Singapore Man Fined S$5,000, Banned for Endangering Sons on Porsche Boot
Anonymous
Key Points
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The October 20, 2025 incident involved Prem Anan Sugunakumar driving a Porsche with his two sons, aged seven and eight, seated on the boot facing backwards along Dairy Farm Lane in Bukit Panjang. The act was filmed by his wife and later posted on TikTok, prompting a police report after another motorist witnessed it.
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In court, the Deputy Public Prosecutor Cheryl Tan sought a S$5,000 fine and a six-month driving disqualification for Sugunakumar, with the judge emphasising the father’s duty to safeguard his children and the need to deter future reckless behaviour.
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The charges carry a maximum penalty of six months’ imprisonment or SGD 2,500 fine (or both); because the offence involved victims under 14, the statutory maximums are doubled, potentially up to 12 months in jail and SGD 5,000 in fines.
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Cross-border coverage highlighted the currency difference: the same case was reported in Malaysia with a fine reported as RM20,445 (roughly SGD 5,000), illustrating how the outcome was presented in different financial terms in regional outlets.
A Singapore man has been fined S$5,000 and banned from driving for six months after placing his two young sons on the boot of a moving Porsche. Prem Anan Sugunakumar, 40, drove along Dairy Farm Lane in Bukit Panjang on October 20, 2025, with his sons — aged seven and eight — seated on the car's rear boot, facing backwards, Head Topics reported.
The incident was filmed by his wife and later posted on TikTok. Another motorist who witnessed it filed a police report. Sugunakumar pleaded guilty in court to a rash act that endangered children under the age of 14.
How Two Boys Ended Up on a Moving Car Boot
On the evening of October 20, 2025, Sugunakumar placed his two sons on the boot of his Porsche. He then drove along Dairy Farm Lane with the boys sitting outside the car, facing the road behind them. His wife filmed the act. Another driver saw what was happening and reported it to police, according to Head Topics.
The video spread on TikTok, drawing public attention to the case. Prosecutors described the act as reckless and dangerous. The court agreed, noting that the children were completely exposed and had no protection if Sugunakumar had braked suddenly or been hit by another vehicle.
Court Hits Sugunakumar with Maximum Allowed Penalties
Deputy Public Prosecutor Cheryl Tan pushed for the harshest penalties allowed. Because the victims were under 14, the law doubles the usual limits. That meant up to 12 months in jail and a S$5,000 fine. The judge stopped short of jail time but imposed the full S$5,000 fine and a six-month driving ban, Head Topics reported.
The court said the penalty was meant to deter others from similar recklessness. The judge stressed that a parent's first duty is to keep their children safe. Sugunakumar's case showed a clear failure to do that.
Long History of Traffic Violations Weighed Against Him
Sugunakumar's driving record did him no favours in court. Prosecutors revealed he had more than 15 traffic violations going back to 2004. That history spanned over two decades and showed a pattern of disregard for road rules, according to Head Topics.
The court said this record made the case even more serious. A driver with so many past violations should know better than to put children in danger. The judge made clear the sentence was both a punishment and a warning to other drivers.
Case Drew Regional Attention Across Southeast Asia
The case was picked up by media outlets across the region. In Malaysia, the S$5,000 fine was reported as roughly RM20,445 — the same amount in local currency terms. That detail highlighted how the story crossed borders and resonated with audiences beyond Singapore, Head Topics noted.
The TikTok video helped drive that wider interest. Public reaction was swift, with many viewers expressing shock that a parent would put children at such risk. The case now stands as a clear legal warning: placing children outside a moving vehicle will bring the maximum penalty under Singapore law.
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