A long-running neighbour dispute in Anchorvale has come to a close in an unexpected manner—after the woman at the centre of it passed away before she could be sentenced for violating a court order. The case, which spanned years and involved multiple court hearings and police reports, had gripped the Sengkang community and drawn attention to chronic noise disturbance issues in public housing.
The 74-year-old woman, Tay Boon Tiang, had been found guilty in June 2025 for breaching a court order issued in 2018 that barred her from shouting or causing excessive noise aimed at her upstairs neighbour, Madam Chua. But just before her sentencing on 24 July, the prosecution informed the court that Tay had died of illness on 15 July. With her passing, the prosecution withdrew the charges, and the case was formally closed.
Years of Disruption Despite Court Orders
The dispute reportedly began in 2017 when Tay started making noise by hitting her toilet ceiling with objects and shouting vulgarities at Madam Chua whenever the latter used her bathroom. Despite being referred for mediation by a Member of Parliament, Tay refused to participate. In 2018, the court issued a formal restraining order after Chua escalated the matter to the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals.
Although Tay ceased her behaviour briefly, by late 2018 she resumed the disturbances—this time with greater intensity. Reports noted she would slam windows, hit cups and walls with objects, and even use a metal pole to create rhythmic noise that persisted at all hours of the day. Her actions reportedly disrupted Chua and her husband so much that they timed their toilet use to flush only once a day in an effort to reduce the noise-triggering incidents.
Even after being issued a Special Direction of Court in mid-2023, Tay defied the orders and continued the harassment. Her own son testified in court that the audio recordings submitted as evidence were indeed her voice, despite her repeated denials. She even went as far as claiming the noises were made by a niece whose identity she refused to disclose.
Victim Expresses Relief, But Forgiveness Remains Elusive
Following Tay’s death, Chua and her husband, who were present in court for the sentencing, expressed a mix of relief and lingering emotional weight. Speaking to Shin Min Daily News, Chua shared that she was not aware of Tay’s death before the court hearing. While she admitted she could not forgive Tay, she said she finally felt “a weight had been lifted off her chest.”
“To fully let go, I still need time,” she added, expressing hope for peace after years of emotional distress.
Community Disputes and Mental Health: A Broader Concern
The case reflects broader challenges faced by residents in high-density HDB estates, where noise complaints and neighbour disputes are becoming increasingly common. It also underscores the limitations of civil court orders when mental health concerns or refusal to comply are involved. While authorities have mechanisms like the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals, long-term enforcement remains a grey area when the offender refuses to cooperate.
This incident comes amid a growing call for stronger neighbour dispute resolution policies, greater mental health support, and proactive mediation services. As Singapore continues to urbanise, balancing the rights of residents with the need for community harmony becomes a pressing civic issue—particularly for the elderly population, who may experience loneliness, delusion, or unresolved grievances.
For now, Chua and others affected can begin to find peace, but the case remains a cautionary tale for neighbourhood conflict left unresolved for too long.
Image Source: Shin Min Daily News/ Singapore Uncensored Archives