Father Receives 16-Month Jail Term for Abusing His Children in Singapore

In Singapore, a 41-year-old father has been sentenced to 16 months in jail after pleading guilty to abusing his children on three separate occasions. The court heard that this man, whose name is withheld by gag orders to protect his children’s identities, had previously admitted guilt for ill-treating both his son and daughter, with a third incident influencing his sentencing.

The reported incidents date back several years. According to accounts, around 2019, when his son was approximately 11 years old, the father became upset over school-related issues. In a disturbing act, he heated a metal spoon on the stove and pressed it against his son’s skin, resulting in burns and lasting scars on his buttock.

Later, in June 2022, the father’s daughter, then about 15 years old, was injured after he kicked her while she was seated on the floor. The injury was severe enough that her mother sought medical attention; a consultation at a Chinese medical hall led to a hospital visit the next day, where she was diagnosed with a collarbone fracture. Although the girl was sent home the same day, she was prescribed a 14-day period of hospitalization leave and medication for pain.

A further incident in July 2022, involving the father striking his son’s arm with a belt, added to the series of offenses. These events came under scrutiny after the father's involvement in a traffic accident in August 2022, which prompted an investigation by police and involvement from Child Protection Services.

During sentencing, the prosecutor highlighted the premeditated nature and cruelty of the offenses, particularly emphasizing how the use of a heated spoon on the son and the forceful kick that resulted in the daughter’s fracture underscored the severity of the abuse. The case underscored the violation of the inherent trust between a parent and child, leaving the vulnerable victims without any means to defend themselves.