SINGAPORE, March 23 — He abused his 68-year-old mother, starved her and assaulted her private parts with a metal padlock and his knee.

Andy Koh Ju Hua, 30, was today put behind bars for 56 weeks, or about a year and one month.

The prosecution had asked for a higher sentence than what they earlier sought, in light of fresh facts about abuses that went beyond the charges pressed against him. 

These included allowing his mother to drink only plain water at home, once demanding that she stand by the sink and hold an ice pack to her face overnight, and hitting her head with a remote control.

Noting that Koh’s offences had caused much public disquiet, District Judge Kessler Soh told the court: "We cannot understand why he brought himself to abuse and assault his mother in such a cruel manner.

"The manner in which he ill-treated his mother was abhorrent and he must receive a punishment according to law. But, beyond that, he must receive treatment for his psychotic disorder to address the underlying issues of his offending and minimise the risk of reoffending upon serving his sentence.” 

The judge agreed with the prosecution that a substantial jail term was warranted to reflect the pain, suffering and harm caused, while taking into account an Institute of Mental Health psychiatrist’s findings that Koh’s psychotic disorder likely substantially contributed to his crimes.

District Judge Soh also explained why he reversed his decision to call for a report to assess Koh’s suitability for a mandatory treatment order, a community sentencing option offered to offenders with mental health conditions that contributed to their crimes. 

Koh, who was studying for a master’s degree in history at the National University of Singapore (NUS), pleaded guilty last week to four counts of voluntarily causing hurt. 

One of the charges fell under newly enhanced provisions that kicked in on Jan 1 last year, which doubled penalties for victims in close relationships with accused persons. He had committed that offence in June last year.

The maximum jail term for that charge is six years. Community-based sentences, however, are generally available for crimes that carry only up to three years in prison, District Judge Soh said. 

He will also convene a community court conference to consider the protective measures that can be taken to protect Koh’s mother, and determine the psychiatric treatment Koh can receive in prison and after his release.

More abuse beyond charges

In light of new facts, Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Magdalene Huang today asked for at least 50 weeks’ jail, up from the prosecution’s earlier sentencing position of 30 weeks’ imprisonment. 

She relied on two reports by social service agency Promoting Alternatives to Violence (Pave), which revealed new facts on how Koh abused his mother, beyond what the charges against him covered: