Life Imprisonment for Father Convicted of Beating Daughter to Death

In a tragic case that shocked Singapore, a man who brutally killed his five-year-old daughter, Ayeesha, has been sentenced to life imprisonment after appealing for a shorter term. Initially handed a 34-and-a-half-year prison sentence, the man, whose identity remains protected due to the existence of his son, was found guilty of multiple charges including culpable homicide and child abuse.

Ayeesha's death in 2017 was the culmination of nearly two years of extreme neglect and abuse, wherein she was deprived of food, forced to live in inhumane conditions, and physically assaulted by her father. The prosecution highlighted the prolonged suffering endured by Ayeesha, including her drastic undernourishment and lasting emotional and psychological trauma. The judges, led by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, unanimously agreed that the man’s actions constituted one of the worst cases of culpable homicide, warranting the severe penalty.

The man's legal team argued for a reduced sentence, asserting that the initial punishment already considered the relevant factors and showed remorse for his actions. However, the evidence of abuse presented by the prosecution, which included details of confinement and deprivation, underscored the gravity of the situation. Ayeesha and her brother had initially been in foster care but returned to live with their father and stepmother, only to be subjected to further torment without any supervision or schooling.

On the fateful day of Ayeesha's passing, a routine query from their stepmother led to a violent response from the father, culminating in numerous blows to the child's face. After realizing she had died, he attempted to destroy incriminating evidence before seeking medical help. Ayeesha’s stepmother has also been charged with multiple offenses and her case is pending in court.