SINGAPORE - The neighbour charged last week with abetting the abuse of an elderly woman in Lower Delta Road was hit with two additional charges on Friday (July 30).
Darwinder Singh Sukhdev Singh, 39, stands accused of abetting Mr Khamis Abas, who is understood to be Madam Kamisah Burel's husband, in feeding her faeces and urine. He also allegedly slapped Mr Khamis's face some time last year.
Darwinder, who is unemployed, was first hauled to court last Friday for allegedly abetting Madam Kamisah's daughter Siti Nur Redha Khamis, 25, in feeding the 58-year-old woman excrement.
He will be remanded for two weeks at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) to assess his soundness of mind when the alleged offences occurred.
The case came under the spotlight last Monday when another neighbour, 25-year-old Mohammad Juani, posted a video on Facebook of Madam Kamisah seemingly being slapped by Ms Siti outside their Lower Delta Road flat. The video went viral, prompting a surge of online outrage.
Darwinder said he wanted to engage a lawyer through the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (Clas), and once more pleaded with the court to extend bail so that he could take care of his mother.
He said: "My mother got no one to take care of her other than me. She has heart problems.
"I need to apply for a legal aid lawyer. Please help me."
District Judge Janet Wang said Darwinder could apply to Clas, but that he had to remain in remand until his next court appearance on Aug 14.
His mother, Madam Diah Kaur, 63, was in court accompanied by representatives from the Ministry of Social and Family Development and the Samaritans of Singapore, as well as a female friend.
She seemed confused about what was happening to her son. "Where are they taking him now? Can I go see him?" she asked of her companions.
"I'm so worried about him," she told The Straits Times, adding that she was stressed and felt dizzy.
If convicted of abetting voluntarily causing hurt, Darwinder faces up to seven years in jail, a fine, caning or any combination of the above. If convicted of slapping Mr Khamis, he could face up to two years in jail, fined up to $5,000 or both.
