A 31-year-old Singaporean man pleaded guilty on July 9 to multiple charges of child abuse and providing false information to the Ministry of Manpower after subjecting primary school pupils in his care to severe physical violence and starvation. The man, who worked as a manager at an educational facility run by his aunt, is scheduled for sentencing on Aug 21.
Details of the Abuse
According to court documents, the defendant was hired in 2016 to manage the facility, which provided housing and consultancy services for foreign students, despite holding no teaching or childcare qualifications. Prosecutors stated that the man systematically abused a six-year-old Chinese national pupil, forcing the boy to hold push-up positions for extended periods, hitting him with a clothes hanger, and restricting his diet to bread and water.
The abuse escalated significantly on March 9, 2023, when the man forced the six-year-old to remain in a push-up position from 3:45 p.m. until the following morning. During this time, he punched and stomped on the child and forced him to drink his own urine when he grew thirsty. On March 10, the man continued the assault for approximately 18 hours, even after the hanger he was using broke. The boy was eventually hospitalized on March 14, 2023, with lung injuries, kidney failure, and multiple rib fractures, requiring nine days of dialysis.
Did You Know? The defendant attempted to hide the severity of the victim’s condition by preventing his aunt from taking the six-year-old to the hospital immediately, citing a fear of being arrested for his actions.
Scope of the Convictions
The man’s guilty plea covers two counts of child abuse and one count of voluntarily causing grievous hurt. Additionally, he was convicted of providing false or misleading information to the Ministry of Manpower. The court has imposed a gag order on the man’s identity to protect the victims involved in the case.
Beyond the primary victim, court records detail abuse against two other students. In January 2023, an 11-year-old pupil was forced into a push-up position for three hours and struck with a hanger for making mistakes on homework. On March 1, 2023, a 10-year-old student was punched, slapped, and kicked by the man for failing to complete assignments. A police report regarding these incidents was filed on March 3, 2023, following notification from the boy’s teachers.
Expert Insight
What Happens Next
The man remains in custody awaiting his sentencing, which is set for Aug 21.
Frequently Asked Questions
What injuries did the six-year-old boy sustain?
The boy suffered from lung injury caused by blunt force, kidney failure requiring nine days of dialysis, severe hypertension, muscle breakdown, and multiple rib fractures.
Did the man have teaching credentials?
No, court documents indicate the man was hired as a manager in 2016 despite having no teaching or childcare qualifications.
When did the abuse of the other students come to light?
The abuse of the 10-year-old student was reported to police on March 3, 2023, after teachers informed the boy’s parents about the injuries.
How can educational facilities better ensure the safety of students when hiring staff for residential and tutoring roles?
