Man working at welfare home kicked and shoved 10-year-old resident
The man kicked and shoved the boy who had earlier climbed a parapet on the second storey of the home.
A 43-year-old former welfare officer has been fined $8,000 after he physically abused a 10-year-old boy who lived at the facility where he worked. The man pleaded guilty to ill-treating the child, admitting to kicking and shoving him while using vulgar language. Deputy Public Prosecutor Hidayat Amir explained that the offender's position of authority was evident in the way the victim remained silent in the face of the assault.
The incident occurred on August 11, 2025, when the boy was seen climbing a parapet on the second floor of the welfare home. The man confronted the child, threatening him and attempting to hide his actions by claiming the CCTV camera was not functioning. The man then struck the boy on the face with his elbow, causing him to fall to the ground.
Hidayat emphasized that the man must responsibly practice his martial arts skills, especially when caring for minors. The court heard that the abuse was recorded on camera, leading to the man's arrest shortly after the assault. The victim sought medical attention at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, where he was found with tenderness to his back.
His lawyer, Rajan Supramaniam, stated that his client's actions resulted from a lapse in judgment, and he has since sought professional counseling to address the factors that led to his wrongful behavior towards the boy.
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