In a shocking incident, a father repeatedly abused his own child by biting, choking and restraining him with a bicycle cord. The man's wife later stabbed him in the chest during another argument.
On Tuesday (10 August), the man was given nine months' jail and fined $4,500. He cannot be named to protect the victim's identity.
Father Repeatedly Abuses His Own Child
According to CNA, the court heard that the man was married with two sons and the following incidents took place:
-
29 November 2018
The man and his wife took their sons to a polyclinic for vaccinations on this day. The two children were playing when the older son bit his brother on the thigh.
When the accused found out, he got angry and decided to discipline his older son. The father abused his child by caning the then five-year-old boy on his thigh so he would feel "how painful it was to be bitten."
-
4 December 2018
The older son was brought to a hospital for a planned visit. The medical staff admitted him over concerns of a non-accidental injury.
The examining doctor saw injuries on the child including lesions and bruises. Inconsistent accounts of how they were sustained were also given.
A staff nurse saw the accused roughly handling his son by forcing him to lie down and holding down his legs. The police were then immediately informed.
-
23 March 2019
On this day, the man drove his van to Toh Guan estate with his wife and older son. The boy then vomited in the van on the way.
His father got angry and began shouting as well as arguing with his wife. The accused parked at a service road to collect some parcels while his wife cleaned up their son and the seat.
When the man came back, he helped change his son's clothes and clear up the mess. But he got even angrier with the boy who was crying and shouting for his mother to let him play with her phone. The wife of the accused was standing outside of the van during this time.
The man eventually picked his son up with one hand around the front of his neck and the other on his back. The father abused the child further by lifting him up completely, choking him, then placing him on the ground.
He then put both his hands around the boy's neck and shook him, making the boy cry and scream from the pain. But the man only scolded his son and told him that he hated him.
Luckily, a nearby resident saw the incident and called for the police. The police managed to identify the accused with the van's registration number as provided by the eyewitness.
Before they drove to Faber Walk, the man used a bicycle cord with hooks to tie up his son's hands together and restrained him in the van. While struggling to free himself out of his restraints, the boy dislodged a tooth.
When the couple took the boy to the hospital the following day, there were several injuries on his body. This included six bruises over his forearm, a missing tooth as well as abrasions over his arms, neck and lip.
The boy who was six-years-old at the time was admitted to a hospital for a few days. He was later discharged into the care of his maternal grandmother.
-
28 July 2019
The man got into a fight with his wife when she accused him of having an affair. The argument escalated and the man threw a plastic chair towards her but missed.
His angered wife then charged at him and bit his shoulder. The man retaliated by biting her back in her arms. He later called the police.
It was then when his wife went to the kitchen to retrieve a knife and stabbed him once in his chest. The couple was separated when police officers arrived at the scene and arrested them.
They were brought to the hospital where various injuries such as bite marks, bruises and a 3cm stab wound on the man's chest were found.
Man Given Nine Months' Jail For Abusing His Son
The man has pleaded guilty to four charges. This includes voluntarily causing hurt and ill-treating a child along with another five charges that have been taken into consideration.
His son was placed in MINDSville and assessed to have global development delay.
He was placed under the Early Intervention Programmed for Infants and Children. The court heard that the boy was aggressive and disruptive. With time, his behaviour eventually improved with time.
As for the case for the incident with the man's wife, this is still pending.
Where You Can Seek Help
Let us work hard as a community to prevent any more violence cases. If you or anyone you know is suffering from family violence, please seek help from the police by reporting to them or call 999 in cases of immediate threat.
There are also various helplines that offer help to victims of violence which are listed below:
- National Anti-Violence Helpline (NAVH):
1800 777 0000 - AWARE:
1800 777 5555 - Samaritans of Singapore:
1800-221 4444 - Singapore Association for Mental Health:
1800-283-7019 - Care Corner Counselling Centre (Mandarin):
1800-353-5800
Let us strive to make this world safer for our children.
ALSO READ:
Why Child Abuse Cases In Singapore Increased By 21% In 2020
Employers Not Allowed At Maid Medical Exams For Early Detection Of Abuse