Singapore Court of Appeal Turns the Tide in a Deep‑Sitting Family Tragedy
In a jarring turn of events, the Court of Appeal flipped the fate of a grim case that had splashed a shockwave across Singapore. The judges—five in total—announced on Tuesday that the initial 27‑year prison terms handed to a couple for the horrific abuse of their five‑year‑old son would be replaced by a much harsher lineup: death or life in prison for the mother, and a life sentence for the father.
What Went Down
- Azlin Arujunah (30) – no longer safe with a 27‑year stint; now facing the ultimate penalty or a life sentence.
- Ridzuan Mega Abdul Rahman (30) – his jail time was bumped up to a life term for causing grievous harm.
- The pair’s original 24‑stroke caning for the father has been put on hold for further review.
Why the Court Changed Course
The decision came after a prosecution appeal that pushed the court to broaden its understanding of “common intention.” In simpler terms, the court said the couple’s collective plan to cause fatal scalding was evident, even if the evidence for that specific crime was shaky.
The Painful Timeline
- Oct 15‑22, 2016 – Four separate incidents in a tight‑packed Toa Payoh flat.
- Azlin delivered the hot water rush for the first three times, while Ridzuan took his turn on the second and fourth.
- The little boy collapsed after the final splash and was rushed to the hospital only seven hours later.
- He succumbed to horrific scald injuries, affecting roughly 75 % of his body, on Oct 23.
Additional Abusive Acts
- Kept him confined in a pet cage.
- Used pliers to pinch him.
- Hitting him with a broom.
- Burning his palms with a heated spoon.
Legal Journey
- Original charges: murder with a common intention to inflict fatal scalds.
- April 2020 High Court ruling: common intention not conclusively proved; request for alternate charges.
- June 2020: Acquittal on murder, conviction for causing grievous hurt by dangerous means.
Details about the victim and his siblings remain under a gag order, keeping the identities out of the public eye.
Looking Ahead
The Court of Appeal has set a new deadline for additional submissions to decide Azlin’s exact sentence and whether Ridzuan’s original caning order should stick. Stay tuned, Singapore, as the legal wheels keep turning on this heartbreaking case.
<img alt="" data-caption="The silver rectangular metal cage which was allegedly used to confine the boy.
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Couple Faces Heavy Sentences After Abuse Verdict
When the court finally delivered its judgment on the couple’s disturbing acts of abuse, the penalties were nothing short of stern.
Key Outcomes
- Ridzuan: 27‑year jail term, plus 24 cane strokes.
- Azlin: 27‑year jail term, one extra year in lieu of the cane.
The judge’s decision didn’t end the drama. The prosecution filed an appeal, hoping for an even harsher punishment.
Prosecution’s Appeal
- Requested that Azlin be charged with murder.
- Sought life imprisonment for both parties.
All this story first found its way into the newspapers via The Straits Times—you’ll need the rights to reprint it.
