Far‑Too‑Close: One Dad’s Dark Secrets Uncovered by a Cough‑Pill Tactic
A chilling case in Singapore tops the headlines this month, as authorities cracked down on a father who tried to hide his abuse by hiding contraceptives behind the guise of cough medicine.
What Went Down
- Age of Abuse – The boy’s mother, who was nine when the first violations began, saw her son’s little sister taken wrong turns in the family’s private halls.
- Alarm Bells – In 2017, the father started making “inappropriate” touches and escalated to nightly or Saturday‑morning assaults.
- After the victim turned 11, the father hit the world’s most taboo footnote: rape. He even handed a day‑old toddler an “unprotected” consort.
- More than merely sexual misconduct, he attempted to cover his tracks by prescribing fake cough pills.
The Cough‑Pill Plot
Three days after a “ridiculous” unprotected encounter on 12 March 2019, the dad purchased a bulk of contraceptives online. He stashed them in a tiny, resealable bag marked “for cough” from a market clinic, with sly intent: the little girl would swallow them without knowing what she was ingesting.
When the girl finally offered the pill to her mother, the truth unfolded – the bullet points On her nose: the child’s mother discovered the hidden label and said, “Absolutely no cough here.”
Legal Fallout
The High Court, after hearing a marathon of testimonies, sentenced the father—under a 71‑year “world record” ban— to:
- 21 years in prison.
- 24 ceremonial cane strokes (a traditional rite for serious crime).
The adjudicator, Judicial Commissioner Philip Jeyaretnam, highlighted the man’s grievous abuse of parental authority, yet he mustered leniency because the father fought straight up, admitted guilt, and kept his daughter from making a painful courtroom testimony.
Other Charges on the Table
In all, eight additional charges lined up: rape, sexual exploitation, incest, sexual harassment of a minor, illegal possession of a weapon, false statements, perjery, and an undisclosed charge that the court said would add more weight.
Family History and Timeline
- They married in China, 2007.
- Moved to Singapore 2008, became permanent residents 2009, and the child arrived 2010.
- The father secured citizenship while the family lived in a 4‑room flat in Tampines, routinely sharing one sleeping room.
- It’s worth noting the current age of the victim is 14 (but she’s been hidden behind “gag orders” to protect her identity).
Aves with — Sons, daughter, & mother
Still, What’s the Take‑away?
Beyond the courtroom drama, the judge left us with a poignant sign: “Time will do some healing to the family you have fractured.” What a tough reminder that healing is a slow process, and that families, no matter how broken, deserve a chance to rebuild honorably.
House‑Hold Reaction & Forgiveness?
The father’s legal team (Jonathan Wong & Riko Isaac) forwarded letters from his wife and daughter pleading for a softer sentence. The message summed up an unsettlingly optimistic philosophy:
“We are instructed that his wife and daughter have found it within their hearts to not only forgive our client but also take active steps to reconcile with him.”
Moral? In the long arc of justice, the human spirit can sometimes choose forgiveness over retribution—though that choice will be debated under every corner lamp.
Note: This summary has been re‑conceptualized from an article originally dated October 14 by The Straits Times. You may re‑publish as needed, just keep the unabridged source credit.
