Updated: 09/09/2013 20:35 | By Channel NewsAsia
Woman jailed 5 weeks for scalding co-tenant with hot water
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SINGAPORE: A Chinese national was on Monday jailed five weeks by a district court after she splashed hot water on her co-tenant during a dispute.
The incident happened in September 2011 in a flat that 61-year-old Qi Xinling and the victim, 23-year-old Guan Qiuyue, shared at Jalan Bukit Ho Swee.
The court heard that a dispute broke out between them over a tenancy agreement.
Qi told the court that Ms Guan had violated the terms of the tenancy agreement by bringing men back to the house.
Shortly after, Ms Guan returned to her room and discovered there was no Internet connection.
She then went to the living room and saw that the Internet cable was unplugged.
Ms Guan then turned off the television which Qi was watching, which sparked off another dispute.
The court heard that Guan threw water at Qi, and in retaliation, Qi splashed a flask of hot water at Guan, scalding her.
Medical reports showed that Guan suffered first-degree burns to the left side of her face, abdomen and upper limbs, as well as second-degree burns to her neck and upper chest.
Doctors later confirmed that the scars, including those on her face, are likely to be permanent.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Chen Zhida urged the court to impose a custodial sentence, pointing out that Qi's actions were a "deliberate move to get back at the victim over the dispute".
Noting that the injuries suffered by Guan were "severe", he also said that Qi would have known the water was "dangerously hot" as she had started boiling the water only moments before.
In mitigation, Qi, who has been in Singapore for the past 12 years and was a Chinese tutor, said she was sorry for what she had done.
She tearfully asked the court for leniency, adding that she had no previous criminal offences.
Qi also suffered minor injuries in the struggle, which a medical report confirmed were abrasions.
During the sentencing, the District Judge said that Qi had committed a "horrific act" which had lifelong consequences for the victim.
For committing a negligent act, Qi could have been jailed up to two years and fined. - CNA/nd
