A Singapore resident, Lu Ut Em, displayed aggressive behavior towards her husband while their two children and other relatives were present. The incident, which took place on Dec 2, 2023, involved Lu wielding a knife and threatening her husband, all while the children witnessed their mother’s alarming behavior.
Lu, a 33-year-old woman, lived with her husband, two children, and other relatives in a Teck Whye flat. According to CNA, Lu became upset with her husband and began shouting and snarling at him while holding a kitchen knife. She swung the knife at her husband, who did not appear to retaliate. The children and their grandmother were also present during the altercation.
Lu’s brother-in-law intervened, but she redirected her anger towards him, repeatedly jabbing the knife in his direction until he retreated to the kitchen. At one point, Lu raised the knife and threatened her husband, saying something in Mandarin that included the word “bleed.” However, Lu later denied saying “I want you to bleed” in court.
As the situation escalated, Lu’s husband took up a chopper to scare her into dropping the knife. Despite his efforts, Lu remained unfazed, and her husband eventually left the house to avoid further conflict. The police were called to the scene, and Lu was arrested.
Lu admitted to committing the offence due to her anger, stating, “Because I’m very hot-tempered. That’s why I did so. Besides that, I am very OK.” She pleaded guilty to two charges of criminal intimidation and threatening her husband. Lu apologized and asked for a fine instead of jail time so that she could care for her children.
The judge advised Lu to control her anger and consider her children the next time she feels angry. Lu was ultimately sentenced to three months in jail and fined S$2,000. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of managing one’s anger and resolving conflicts peacefully, especially in the presence of young children.