The lead investigator on the case of a family friend-turned-slave who was abused routinely for months until she was dying from her septic wounds sits down with CNA to share his thoughts on the case.
Deputy Superintendent Chris Lee of the Criminal Investigation Department's Organised Crime Branch led the investigation into the near-fatal abuse of an intellectually disabled woman. SINGAPORE: He has covered multiple homicide cases in over two decades with the Singapore Police Force, so for Deputy Superintendent Chris Lee, it was a miracle when a 27-year-old victim survived her almost-fatal injuries.
By the time one of the daughters called for an ambulance in January 2018, the victim was dying – sepsis had set into her wounds, which had been left to rot and left large raw patches on her body. "The initial account provided by Hasniza did not align with the police's preliminary findings," said DSP Lee.
He was referring to matriarch Hasmah Sulong, another daughter Haslinda Ismail, and Hasmah's sons, Muhammad Iskandar Ismail and Muhammad Iski Ismail. "We held case conferences each night for a week. These sessions were crucial for deconflicting any discrepancies in the statements provided and coordinating our next steps," he said.
Between May and June 2016: Haslinda accused victim of performing sex act on her husband, slapped her and splashed hot water on victim's stomach, thigh and groin. Between September 2017 and October 2017: Hasmah deliberately dropped a heavy water bottle on victim's pus-filled toe.Around October or November 2017: Victim began suffering from urinary and faecal incontinence.
Late December 2017: Victim was shifted to the bathroom at night, where she was chained half-naked to the toilet bowl and ate rice from the floor that was dirty with her own faeces and urine. She tied the victim's limbs with cable ties and made her continue standing in the kitchen in her soiled trousers even when other family members arrived for the Hari Raya celebrations.
She was admitted to the intensive care unit, sedated and extensively intubated and was expected to die. It later emerged that Haslinda had poured hot oil on her, and Hasmah had inflicted the near-fatal injuries by splashing boiling water over her genital area. While she was there, DSP Lee visited almost every other day with the interpreter to speak to the victim.DSP Lee said he had to prepare her in the event of a trial – if any of the accused persons claimed trial, the victim would have to take the stand, and her statements would have to stand up to scrutiny.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
CNA Explains: Is vaping ‘getting out of hand’ in Singapore, and what can be done?One expert suggests annually testing all students of a particular cohort, as a way to discourage vaping.
Read more »
Singapore Theatre Company returns to Singapore Repertory Theatre name after contentious rebrandTheatremakers who objected to the name change in February welcome SRT's latest announcement.
Read more »
Why Singapore firms are entering the German market, and how Enterprise Singapore is helping themEnterprise Singapore, which champions internationalisation, said it has seen a spike in companies exploring opportunities in Europe post-pandemic.
Read more »
Fun With Kids: Minions at Universal Studios Singapore; Singapore Art Museum’s Learning GalleryMake family time all the more special with these ideas and activities.
Read more »
Singapore Vandas set to bloom, Netball Singapore unveils First Lady as new patronA new chapter unfolds for Netball Singapore as they rebrand the team and name Ms Jane Ittogi as their patron.
Read more »
CNA Explains: A hit-and-run at sea and the role of an alleged 'dark ship'The vessel is said to be part of a fleet which intentionally - and illegally - disables their location trackers.
Read more »