Master’s Degree Student Admits to Physically Abusing and Starving Elderly Mother When He Was Stressed With Studies

Your mother brought you into this world after nine months of hardship.

Her love for you never wanes, and even though she prefers chicken drumsticks, she’ll take the drier chicken breasts so you can have your favourite chicken parts.

I’m pretty sure we can all agree that you need to cherish your mother now while you have the chance.

Unfortunately, not everyone feels the same way.

Son Abuses Elderly Mother Due To Studies Stress

Andy Koh Ju Hua was studying for a master’s degree at the National University of Singapore (NUS) back in 2017.

Then, whenever he was stressed with his studies, he took it out on his 68-year-old mother by starving her and not allowing her to shower or make a noise.

She was hospitalised three times and placed in a safe house.

But each time, she insisted on returning to her family.

In January 2018, Mr Koh kneed her in the groin with the intention to hurt her.

She was found by her niece complaining of pain in her lower region. Though her niece had wanted to call the police, the victim stopped her.

When she went to the hospital, she lied that she fell down.

In December 2018, Mr Koh attacked his mother again. He struck at her face with his hands and used a metal padlock to hit her vaginal area multiple times.

During the incident, his mother had not retaliated and let him vent his anger on her.

Again, when she went to the hospital, she told them that she fell down in the toilet.

In June 2020, Mr Koh called his mother over and punched her in the mouth three times.

This time, she ran out of the home in desperation.

Had Not Wanted To Implicate Son

The first two times, the elderly woman had not wanted to implicate Mr Koh and lied about how she got her injuries.

The incident in June 2020, however, was the last straw.

She sought help from her relatives who described her as being “sunken, thin, frail and very dirty”.

Her nephew called the police to report the abuse and said she was “distraught”.

When she went to the hospital the third time, she told them that her son had punched her in the face.

She also reported feeling pain in her chin and lip.

Admitting To Charges

On Tuesday (16 Mar), Mr Koh, who had been detained since November 2020, admitted to four counts of voluntarily causing hurt.

The prosecutor in charge of the case, Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Magdalene Huang, requested at least 30 weeks’ jail for Mr Koh, pointing out that the abuse with the metal padlock was “especially vicious and cruel”.

Mr Koh also demonstrated that he was unremorseful, having denied all the offences throughout the investigation.

The report from the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) also says that he “displays a complete lack of remorse”, Ms Huang said.

The only mitigating factor, she added, was his mental condition as supported by the IMH report.

It wasn’t clarified what condition he has, however.

Mandatory Treatment Order

Mr Koh, who isn’t represented by a lawyer, asked for a Mandatory Treatment Order (MTO).

He claims that he still loves his mother, and after getting treatment for his disorder, he wants to “live happily after” and take care of her.

While the prosecution objected to the call for MTO, the judge felt that it would be “appropriate” to at least consider it.

“It’s appropriate for us to at least consider an MTO report before we consider. What is critical is for the offender to receive treatment if it’s something that had any causal or contributory link, but we should get a report to ascertain if that’s the case.”

The judge called for an assessment of Mr Koh’s suitability for MTO and the case was adjourned to a later date.

Feature Image: Aleksandar Nalbantjan / Shutterstock.com