A deeply disturbing case involving prolonged harm and neglect came before the High Court after a 66-year-old man pleaded guilty to culpable homicide not amounting to murder over the death of a 19-year-old woman in a Clementi flat. The victim, Huang Baoying, died after months of severe mistreatment that included starvation, repeated beatings and being restrained inside a toilet.
The woman was found motionless in a residential unit at Clementi West Street 1 in May 2021 and was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigations led to the arrest of her elder brother, Huang Bocan, along with Lim Peng Tiong and Chee Mei Wan. While the three were initially charged with causing grievous hurt, the charges were later amended as the scale of harm became clear.
Lim admitted to his role in the case, with the court hearing how the harm took place within a tightly controlled group dynamic that the prosecution described as escalating into sustained torture. Sentencing has been adjourned, with the prosecution seeking a lengthy jail term.
How the Group Formed and Gained Control
Court documents revealed that the victim met the accused in 2018 through a health and nutrition business run by Chee, which operated like a closed “club”. Members paid subscriptions, sold nutritional products and attended activities together, including overseas roadshows. Huang joined as a teenager hoping to lose weight, improve herself and earn income.
Over time, the group grew close, with Huang’s brother entering into a romantic relationship with Chee. Their interactions increasingly centred around the siblings’ home, before all parties eventually moved into Lim’s residence in 2020 following family disputes and marital issues.
What began as fines for perceived bad habits later evolved into physical punishment. Exercise routines, beatings and strict monitoring were introduced, with Chee positioned as the authority figure. The victim was singled out as being undisciplined and underperforming, making her the primary target of escalating harm.
From Punishment to Extreme harm
By early 2021, the situation had deteriorated significantly. The victim was subjected to food deprivation, humiliation and repeated assaults. Her movements were restricted, and she was confined to a toilet for long periods, eventually being chained with restraints purchased by Lim at Chee’s instruction.
The court heard that she was beaten hundreds of times on some occasions, with injuries that failed to heal. Her finances were controlled, and she was given minimal money for food. By the time of her death, she weighed just 27.6 kilograms, having lost nearly half her body weight within a year.
On the day before she died, the harm intensified. She was beaten, restrained, doused with cold water and had salt poured into open wounds in an attempt to force a reaction. Despite becoming increasingly weak and unresponsive, help was delayed as the group discussed covering up the incident.
Legal Arguments and Public Impact
The defence argued that Lim had been influenced and manipulated within the group’s hierarchy, claiming he believed the punishments were intended to help the victim. Prosecutors rejected this, stressing that Lim actively participated in the harm and allowed it to continue within his home.
The case has drawn widespread public attention in Singapore, raising serious concerns about harm hidden behind closed doors and the dangers of coercive group dynamics. Lim faces life imprisonment or up to 20 years’ jail, with the court expected to determine an appropriate sentence at a later date.