Singapore Man Sentenced to Four Years in Jail for Attempting to Smother Adoptive Mother
A 36-year-old Singaporean man, Yong Chun Hong, has been sentenced to four years and two months in jail for attempting to smother his adoptive mother with a pillow. The incident occurred on January 16, 2024, after Yong had accumulated a significant debt from frequenting nightclubs and presenting garlands, also known as “hanging flowers,” to hostesses and artistes.
Background of the Case
Yong was adopted by the victim and her husband in 1991, when he was just two years old. After his adoptive father’s death in August 2023, Yong inherited S$45,000. However, he quickly squandered the inheritance by visiting a nightclub called Club Axis four times a week, spending around S$1,000 on each occasion. He also made the acquaintance of a performing artiste, whom he knew as “Baby,” and would spend up to S$1,000 on her by either tipping or “hanging flowers.”
Accumulating Debt and Desperation
By December 20, 2023, Yong owed Club Axis S$30,000, which he could not repay. He turned to his adoptive mother for help, but she was unwilling to assist him. Yong then turned to unlicensed moneylenders, borrowing S$4,500 and providing his adoptive mother’s particulars as a guarantor without her permission. When she discovered this, she was upset, and they quarreled over his financial situation.
Plotting to Kill Adoptive Mother
As Yong’s debts continued to snowball, he became increasingly desperate. He started searching online for ways to kill his adoptive mother, believing that if she were to die, he would be the sole beneficiary of her estate and could use the inheritance to pay off his debts. On January 16, 2024, after a quarrel with his adoptive mother, Yong pressed a pillow on her face with force. She immediately pushed away the pillow and shouted at Yong, who then broke down and sought her forgiveness.
Arrest and Sentencing
Yong was arrested on January 22, 2024, after his adoptive mother reported the incident to the police. The prosecution called for a jail sentence of three to five years, highlighting Yong’s motivation by personal gain and his research into various options to cause his adoptive mother’s death. Yong’s defense lawyer, Ashwin Ganapathy, called for a jail term of three years and two months, citing that the offense was not premeditated and that Yong’s adoptive mother had forgiven him.
Conclusion
Yong’s case serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of accumulating debt and the desperation that can lead individuals to commit heinous crimes. The sentence of four years and two months in jail reflects the severity of Yong’s actions and serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking help and support when struggling with financial difficulties.