A father who voluntarily reported himself to police for using excessive force while disciplining his children was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment on Friday.
According to Channel News Asia (CNA), the 47-year-old man lodged the police report following a series of incidents involving his two sons, aged 11 and 15, from a previous marriage.
He pleaded guilty to three counts of ill-treating a child under the Children and Young Persons Act, with an additional five charges taken into consideration during sentencing. The prosecution had sought a jail term of between 16 and 18 months.
In mitigation, the defence argued that the incidents stemmed from “misguided discipline” rather than acts of “unprovoked aggression”.
Court documents revealed that the boys were subjected to repeated physical punishment, including slapping, pinching and caning. They were also forced to kneel as punishment and, at times, denied meals. CNA reported that the older child has special needs but is considered high-functioning.
The case came to light after the boys’ mother removed them from the home in January 2024 due to safety concerns. She later lodged a separate police report on the advice of a social worker.
Under the law, ill-treating a child carries a maximum sentence of eight years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to S$8,000, or both.
