'Study mama' jailed for scalding flatmate
Mon, Feb 25, 2008
The Straits Times
A CHINA 'study mama' was jailed for three months on Monday for scalding her flatmate about two years ago.
Wang Fang, 39, pleaded guilty to pouring hot water from a kettle onto Ms Xu Hai, 44, also a 'study mama' from China at Sunflower Court in Lorong 6 Geylang on Juy 18, 2006.
A second charge of pulling the victim's hair was taken into consideration.
A district court heard that Wang woke her son at about 6am that day and was preparing breakfast when Ms Xu, annoyed with the noise, came out of her room and told her off.
Ms Xu then went to the toilet. When she came out, she again scolded Wang, who became angry and started to quarrel with the victim.
The argument escalated into a dispute during which the victim pulled Wang's hair and scratched her face. Wang, who was holding a kettle of boiling water, then splashed it onto the victim, scalding her back and neck area. Wang also pulled the victim's hair. Other flatmates intervened to stop the fight.
Ms Xu who suffered burns to her limbs, left ear, neck, chest and upper back was warded for six days at Singapore General Hospital.
Wang's lawyer Ong Peng Boon said his client had written to the police stating that she wished to make medical compensation to the victim, who is away in China.
Wang could have been jailed for up to five years or fined or jailed and fined for causing hurt by means of a heated substance.