Woman Who Abused Low-IQ Friend Receives 8.5 Years’ Jail; Appealing Against Sentence

There seem to be a whole slew of horrific abuse incidents recently. Following headlines about several rape cases, another heinous case has been brought to light.

Haslinda Ismail, 34, has filed an appeal over her eight-and-a half-year jail sentence which she received as a result of abusing her friend to near death.

She had pleaded guilty to three charges of voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to Nursadiqah Sanusi, her friend, by dangerous weapons or means.

The horrific case shocked many Singaporeans, many of who were also upset about how the abusers seemed to be given light punishments in view of their disturbing actions.

If you think you’ve heard one too many cases of abuse, you’re right. This case preceded the equally appalling abuse and death of the Myanmar domestic helper.

Haslinda remains out on a $30,000 bail pending her appeal to the High Court, according to Todayonline. She has surrendered her travel documents and has been placed on electronic tagging.

Details of the Abuse

According to The Straits Times, the victim was a secondary school friend of Haslinda’s brother, Muhammad Isafi Ismail, and worked at a fast-food restaurant.

She came to know the family over time and approached them after running away from home in 2016 due to family problems.

Todayonline reports that Haslinda and her sister, Hasniza, knew that Nursadiqah had mental problems and discussed how to make her their slave. They physically assaulted her as punishment.

In the middle of 2016, Haslinda confronted Nursadiqah, accusing her of performing oral sex on her husband. She was then abused repeatedly by all family members.

Haslinda also made the victim hand over her mobile phone, bank card, passport and NRIC.

She participated in twisting her toes with pliers, knocking out her front teeth with a hammer and scalding her with hot water.

When Haslinda and her husband, Hany, moved to a new flat on the eve of Hari Raya Haji in 2017, Nursadiqah was brought with them to help with the festive preparations.

The Straits Times reports that Haslinda forced the victim not to use the toilet or sleep that night, resulting in her soiling herself. Haslinda then hit her and tied her hands and feet with cable ties. She was made to stand in the kitchen from the night before till the celebrations, even when the family arrived.

Atrociously, Haslinda urinated in one of the noodles that her mother brought over, giving it to Nursadiqah to eat. She complied as she was very hungry.

Chained To The Bathroom

From late December 2017 onwards, the family confined the victim half-naked to the toilet. She could not control her bowels and sat in her own faeces and urine. She was made to eat off the bathroom floor.

In 2018, her condition grew too dire and she was rushed to Khoo Teck-Puat Hospital in a “near-death state”. She was admitted into the intensive care unit at Singapore General Hospital and was discharged on 20 April 2018.

The Institute of Mental Health (IMH) also found her to have a mild intellectual disability after being examined for an intelligence quotient (IQ) assessment.

For her charges, Haslinda could have been jailed up to seven or 15 years respectively or fined. These offences also warrant caning, however, women cannot be caned under the law.

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