A 57-year-old former security guard, Cheng Yew Kang, has been sentenced to 10 months in jail on August 4, 2023, for pushing an 87-year-old cleaner named Heng Yew Chuan to the ground, leading to severe injuries and ultimately, his death.
The incident took place in the Block 36 Teban Gardens Road area on the morning of March 27, 2021.
A Simple Request
On that fateful morning, Heng Yew Chuan, an 87-year-old cleaner, was diligently going about his work, sweeping the area around Block 36 Teban Gardens Road.
He approached Cheng Yew Kang, who was sitting on a bench, and politely asked him to stand up so he could effectively clean the area. What should have been a simple request turned into a tragic altercation.
Cheng Yew Kang, misunderstanding Heng’s intention, interpreted the request as an affront. Feeling provoked, he stood up and retorted, “You think I’m scared of you, ah?”
Heng responded in kind, stating, “I’m also not scared of you.” This exchange of words escalated the situation further, leading to a shocking act of violence.
In a moment of anger, Cheng Yew Kang forcefully pushed Heng Yew Chuan, causing him to lose balance and fall to the ground.
The impact of the fall resulted in Heng suffering a fractured skull and a traumatic brain injury. Passers-by who witnessed the incident rushed to help Heng, with one individual promptly contacting the police.
Heng Yew Chuan was immediately taken to the hospital for medical attention. Doctors diagnosed him with a skull fracture, traumatic brain injury, and a laceration on his forearm, among other injuries.
Over the course of 29 days in the hospital, Heng’s condition worsened. He experienced episodes of delirium and had to be placed on fluid restriction.
Tragically, Heng passed away on April 11, 2023, succumbing to the severe injuries he sustained in the altercation.
The Prosecution’s Stand
During the legal proceedings, the prosecution vehemently labeled Cheng Yew Kang as the “aggressor” in the incident.
They argued that his violent actions were inexcusable and caused irreparable harm to Heng Yew Chuan. The prosecution highlighted that Heng’s ability to work was compromised following the incident, and his brain hemorrhages took several months to heal.
In light of the severity of the crime, the court sentenced Cheng Yew Kang to 10 months in jail.