SINGAPORE - A Taiwanese national was charged on Wednesday (Oct 5) with causing distress to his wife by telling her that he would take her three sons to Taiwan to sell them off.

The 52-year-old accused, who is claiming trial, allegedly committed the offence at a Housing Board flat in the north at about 11pm on Oct 2, 2016.

He is also accused of committing a rash act to endanger the life and personal safety of others by placing his two-year-old son on the railing of the eighth-floor common corridor on Oct 18, 2015.

The third charge states that he caused hurt to his wife that day by pulling her hair, punching her face and head, and kicking her on her stomach.

None of the parties can be named due to a gag order issued by District Judge Ronald Gwee. The nationality of the wife is not known.

The accused, who is unrepresented, was allowed to make three local phone calls for bail arrangements. Bail of $15,000 was allowed. His passport was impounded.

A pre-trial conference is scheduled for Oct 12.

If convicted under the Protection from Harassment Act, he faces a fine of up to $5,000 and/or a jail term of up to six months.

The maximum penalty for committing a rash act is six months' jail and a $2,500 fine; and for voluntarily causing hurt, two years' jail and a $5,000 fine.