Husband Sentenced to 8 Weeks for Kicking Wife in Domestic Dispute

 

A 28-year-old man, Wei Zaotong, was sentenced to eight weeks in jail on Dec. 27 for assaulting his wife during an argument in their home.

The Incident

The couple's quarrel occurred late at night on Dec. 12. In the middle of the heated exchange, Wei’s wife knelt before him, reportedly pleading with him. Wei responded by kicking her face and body multiple times.

During the assault, the victim fell backward and struck her head against a glass panel. The attack also reopened an old wound on her lip, causing it to bleed. Wei stopped when he noticed the bleeding, and the victim called the police.

The woman was examined three days later at the hospital, where doctors noted tenderness on the left side of her head, face, and nose. She also sustained bruises on her legs, a cut on her thigh, and a lower lip ulcer.

Repeat Offender

Wei has a prior conviction from 2021 for criminal intimidation and multiple counts of voluntarily causing hurt within an intimate relationship. He served time in jail for those offences.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Xavier Tan emphasized Wei’s repeated violent behavior toward his wife, a vulnerable victim, and called for a nine- to ten-week sentence.

Wei's Mitigation

In court, Wei claimed he had been trying to manage his anger after his previous conviction. However, he said he acted impulsively during this incident after discovering that his wife had been dating other men for three years.

He admitted to losing control during the argument but expressed remorse for his actions. Through a Mandarin interpreter, Wei stated:

"I know that my violent behavior is wrong, and I am feeling very guilty about it. When there are issues, I should have resolved it in a peaceful manner and probably engaged a lawyer for the divorce instead of using violent means."

The Court’s Response

District Judge A Sangeetha noted the severity of Wei’s actions, particularly as they involved family violence. She suggested that Wei attend counseling to address the underlying causes of his repeated offenses and reduce the risk of reoffending. Wei agreed to participate.

Legal Penalties

Under Singapore law, voluntarily causing hurt carries a maximum penalty of three years in jail, a fine of up to S$5,000, or both. In cases involving an intimate partner, the punishment can be doubled.