In a harrowing case of domestic violence, a mother experienced a prolonged period of mistreatment at the hands of her own son. Over eight months, she endured physical violence, resulting in severe injuries, while her husband stood by and watched without doing anything, according to The Straits Times.
The incidents escalated to a point where the mother’s life was threatened. This article aims to shed light on this distressing situation, examining the legal proceedings, the impact of counseling, and the need for accountability and rehabilitation.
The mother, who shared a similar height with her son, was subjected to numerous acts of violence. In one instance, her son forcefully dragged her into the kitchen, brandishing a chopper and threatening her life. The court documents revealed that he uttered the chilling words, “I will kill you.”
Recognizing the danger, the mother urged her son to put down the weapon, which he reluctantly did before the police arrived at their family home. These acts were not isolated events; they persisted over several months, leaving the mother in a constant state of fear and pain.
A particularly disturbing incident occurred when the mother and son were discussing the son’s future education. Frustrated by his mother’s inability to answer certain questions, the accused became agitated and struck her head with a hard-cover report book.
The mother, fearing for her safety, locked herself in her bedroom and called the police. However, her son managed to find the key and forcibly brought her into the kitchen, holding a chopper threateningly and repeating his intent to kill her.
Pleaded guilty
The 16-year-old boy pleaded guilty to several charges, including voluntary causing hurt, voluntary causing grievous hurt, and criminal intimidation.
The court also considered additional charges of voluntarily causing hurt during the sentencing process. These offenses were committed between March and November of the preceding year. Due to the accused’s age, a gag order was imposed on both the victim and the perpetrator.
The court proceedings revealed that the accused had a history of physically assaulting his mother. Recognizing their son’s anger management issues, the parents sought help from a Family Service Centre for counseling.
Additionally, the accused received support at the Institute of Mental Health, where he was diagnosed with anxiety issues. However, after ceasing counseling sessions in December, the abusive behavior resumed, leading to more violent incidents.
The breakdown of support for the accused is a significant concern in this case. The court highlighted that the accused’s father failed to intervene and protect his wife despite witnessing the attacks.
This lack of action raises questions about the dynamics within the family and the crucial role of family members in preventing and addressing domestic violence.
During the legal proceedings, the prosecution emphasized the need for both probation and Reformative Training Centre (RTC) reports. The doubts surrounding the father’s and brother’s ability to provide adequate support for the accused’s rehabilitation were cited as reasons for this call.
Notably, the prosecutor highlighted the disturbing fact that the accused’s father did not intervene to protect his wife, even when he witnessed the attacks taking place.
The defense lawyer, Mr. Justin Ng from Kalco Law, pleaded for a probation report, acknowledging the wrongfulness of his client’s actions.
He noted that the accused is currently living apart from his mother and has not exhibited any violence towards other family members. This information was presented as a mitigating factor during the proceedings.
To determine an appropriate sentence, the district judge ordered a probation report for the accused. The report will aid in understanding the extent of rehabilitation required for the accused’s betterment.
Sentencing is scheduled for August, at which point the judge will make a decision based on the details provided in the report.