What deterrence message did Judge Kessler Soh emphasise to parents?

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Judge Soh Stressed That Discipline Should Not Be Used as a Pretext for Child Abuse

Judge Kessler Soh emphasised that parents must understand that discipline cannot be used as a justification for abusing their children. This statement was made in the context of sentencing a 31-year-old woman who was jailed for nine months for ill-treating her seven-year-old son. The judge highlighted the need for deterrence in such cases, stating that the actions taken must be met with appropriate punishment.
A Mother Jailed for Child Cruelty

A 31-year-old woman received a nine-month prison sentence for physically assaulting her seven-year-old son. The offences included slapping, stepping on, and kicking the child, as captured on closed-circuit television footage. The incident occurred in 2022 and was reported to the police by the boy's father in 2024. The woman pleaded guilty to one charge of ill-treating a child, with two other charges taken into consideration during sentencing.
CCTV Footage Detailed the Abuse

Court proceedings revealed that the woman aggressively approached the boy, slapping him to the point of stumbling, and then caused him to fall behind a sofa. She proceeded to step on his leg and kick his body while verbally scolding him. Prosecutors presented the CCTV footage as clear evidence of the degree of force used, noting that the child was not provoking the attack.
Defence Arguments Rejected

The defence lawyer sought probation or a substantial fine, arguing that the incident was an isolated event and that the woman was undergoing divorce proceedings, raising the children as a single mother. The defence also suggested that the woman should not be made a scapegoat due to public concern over other child abuse cases. However, Deputy Principal District Judge Kessler Soh agreed with the prosecution's recommended sentence, citing the necessity for deterrence.
Legal Framework for Child Protection

The offence of ill-treating a child in Singapore carries a severe penalty, which can include imprisonment of up to eight years, a fine of up to S$8,000, or both. This legal framework underscores the seriousness with which the courts treat cases of child abuse, aiming to protect vulnerable children and discourage such behaviour through stringent punishment.

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What deterrence message did Judge Kessler Soh emphasise to parents?

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