Man, 61, under investigation after alleged assault outside Tampines preschool
A 61-year-old man is assisting police with investigations after he allegedly assaulted a woman outside a childcare centre in Tampines, with the confrontation reportedly escalating to the point where a stroller was thrown into nearby bushes.
According to Shin Min Daily News, The incident is said to have taken place on the morning of 24 July outside a preschool located at Block 878 Tampines Avenue 8. According to reports, the woman claimed she was slapped twice during the dispute, while her young child was left traumatised by what happened.
Police confirmed they received a call for assistance at about 9.35am on the day of the incident. Investigations are ongoing, and no charges have been announced at the time of writing.
Dispute allegedly began the day before
Residents living nearby told Chinese-language daily Shin Min Daily News that tensions between the pair had already surfaced the previous evening. A neighbour said he heard a loud argument at around 6pm on 23 July and recognised the man’s voice during the exchange.
According to the resident, the argument involved shouting and vulgar language but did not turn physical. However, when another confrontation broke out the following morning, police officers were eventually called to the scene.
The neighbour later spoke with the woman, who appeared visibly shaken. She allegedly told him she had been slapped twice and had lodged a police report over the incident.
Stroller allegedly thrown into nearby bushes
The same resident believed the disagreement may have stemmed from a stroller that had been left in the middle of a walkway outside the childcare centre. While it may have partially obstructed the path, he noted that the corridor was wide and there was sufficient space for pedestrians to move around it.
He also pointed out that the area is often crowded during school hours, with children changing their shoes and parents waiting to pick them up. Even so, he felt the situation did not warrant such an aggressive response, especially in an environment filled with young children.
Speaking to Shin Min, the woman said she did not know the man personally and claimed he was not the parent of a child attending the preschool. She alleged that he returned the next day after their initial disagreement, complained once again that her stroller was blocking the walkway, and threw it into nearby bushes.
Child reportedly frightened by incident
The woman said her child was deeply affected by the confrontation and became reluctant to return to school after witnessing what had happened.
A spokesperson for PCF Sparkletots Preschool said the centre was aware of the incident but was still gathering information. The preschool added that it is cooperating fully with the authorities and declined to provide further comments while investigations continue.
Photographs published by Shin Min Daily News also showed a “No strollers allowed” notice displayed on one of the preschool’s windows. Police have confirmed that a 61-year-old man is currently assisting with investigations into the alleged assault.