Ngoc Trinh was sentenced to 1 year in prison, suspended sentence

On the morning of February 2, the People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City opened the first instance trial of defendant Tran Thi Ngoc Trinh (model Ngoc Trinh, 34 years old) and defendant Tran Xuan Dong (36 years old).

The jury sentenced defendant Tran Thi Ngoc Trinh to 1 year in prison, suspended, and defendant Tran Xuan Dong to 18 months in prison.

Previously, the representative of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Procuracy indicted and proposed sentences for the two defendants. The representative of the People's Procuracy requested the Trial Council to sentence defendant Ngoc Trinh to 6-9 months in prison and defendant Tran Xuan Dong to 12-21 months in prison.

Tran Thi Ngoc Trinh was tried for disturbing public order, according to point a, clause 2, article 318 of the Penal Code. Defendant Tran Xuan Dong was tried for two crimes of disturbing public order according to point a, clause 2, and using fake documents of agencies and organizations according to clause 1, article 341 of the Penal Code.

Previously, in her final statement, Ngoc Trinh said that she did not intentionally violate the law, her actions at that time were just impulsive, she did not know she was wrong, and when she realized her wrongdoing, it was too late.

Ngoc Trinh hopes the jury will consider leniency and give her the lightest sentence possible so she can return to her family.

"The defendant misses his family very much, is truly wrong and sends his apologies to those he has implicated in this case," Ngoc Trinh said.

Defendant Xuan Dong said that during his detention, he realized his actions and repented. Afterwards, defendant Dong burst into tears, hoping that the Trial Council would consider and give him the lightest sentence possible so that he could return to his family soon.

During the interrogation, Ngoc Trinh admitted to the crime but said she did not intentionally violate the law and had intended to take the A2 exam.

Trinh stated that she was the one who proactively arranged the date and time with defendant Tran Xuan Dong to practice driving, and Dong prepared the car to take her to the practice location.

"The defendant thought that driving and practicing on empty roads would be okay and did not assign anyone, it was just a habit," Trinh stated.

The judge asked: "Who instructed the defendant?". In response to the Trial Panel, Ngoc Trinh stated that Tran Xuan Dong was the instructor. Mr. Dong performed the movements first, then the defendant would perform them with Dong. Every time she went to practice, Ngoc Trinh had a cameraman and assistant with her.

Tran Xuan Dong also stated that buying a vehicle of unknown origin is a violation of the law. At the time of purchasing the vehicle, because the defendant did not have much money but liked motorbikes, he agreed to buy several vehicles of unknown origin.

According to the records, Ngoc Trinh does not have a class A2 motorcycle license, but on October 6, 2023, Ngoc Trinh and Dong rode a motorcycle (BMW, 999 cm3 cylinder capacity) to perform on D15 High-Tech Park road (Tang Nhon Phu B ward, Thu Duc city) with dangerous driving movements, offensive postures, not wearing protective gear, lying, kneeling on the saddle... for video recording and posting on social networks.

In addition, the investigation agency also determined that in early September 2023, Dong and Ngoc Trinh organized a gathering and rode Ninja motorbikes on Tran Bach Dang Street (Thu Thiem urban area, Thu Thiem ward, Thu Duc city).

Ngoc Trinh performed offensive and dangerous driving movements such as standing with both feet on one side of the vehicle, letting the vehicle run by itself, sitting on one side of the saddle to let the vehicle run by itself... and had the video recorded and posted on social media.

According to the investigation agency, the above behavior has caused insecurity, disorder, and traffic safety in the locality. The People's Committee of Thu Thiem Ward (Thu Duc City) and the Traffic Safety Committee of Tang Nhon Phu B Ward (Thu Duc City) have sent a document requesting the Investigation Police Agency of Ho Chi Minh City Police to consider handling Ngoc Trinh in accordance with the law.

The investigation agency seized 3 motorbikes of unknown origin, 1 flycam as a means of transport for the defendant's actions, along with many fake vehicle documents and many electronic devices as evidence related to the case.

After being prosecuted and detained, Ngoc Trinh and Xuan Dong realized their illegal acts and expressed their desire to receive leniency from the law.