Neighbours who allegedly sprayed disinfectant at SKGH nurse's family to be charged

The neighbours have been harassing the nurse and his family since May last year.

Ashley Tan | May 20, 2021, 04:02 PM

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A duo who harassed a Singapore nurse and his family since a year ago will be charged for their suspected involvement in intentionally causing harassment.

Repeated incidences since May 2020

The police first received a report on May 15, 2020, that a 55-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman were harassing their neighbours.

While police were investigating the incident, they received several more reports between Oct. 2020 and Jan. 2021 alleging that the harassment by the pair had continued.

This is despite both sides attending mediation at the Community Mediation Centre in June 2020 to attempt to resolve the matter.

The alleged acts of harassment include:

  • Use of vulgarities and insulting remarks at their neighbours
  • Spraying disinfectant towards their neighbour’s unit and occupants
  • Splashing water along the shared common corridor

Investigations against the woman for additional offences committed against the neighbours, which were reported on Apr. 2021, are ongoing.

Over the course of the investigations, the police remained in contact with the parties involved, and also advised them to minimise contact and interactions with one another.

The two will be charged in court on May 21, 2021. The woman will also be charged for allegedly causing public nuisance in an unrelated incident.

If found guilty of the offence of intentionally causing harassment under, the duo face a maximum fine of up to S$5,000, imprisonment for up to 6 months, or both.

If found guilty of the offence of public nuisance, the duo can face a maximum penalty of a jail term of up to three months, a fine of up to S$2,000, or both.

The police said:

"We do not condone any behaviour that impacts the public’s sense of safety and security in the neighbourhoods. We urge members of the public to practise neighbourliness and work together to overcome Covid-19 together."

Background information

The nurse works at Sengkang General Hospital.

Videos of their harassment were first put up online last year and widely condemned by the public.

The most recent act of harassment was caught on camera. Footage showed the neighbour pouring a pail of soapy water on the corridor floor just as the nurse's wife was about to head off to work.

The neighbour then hurled Hokkien vulgarities at the woman before re-entering his home and slamming the gate shut.

In December last year, the neighbour was also caught spraying disinfectant out of the gate while the nurse's young son was waiting outside.

The strong disinfectant smell had caused the young boy to cough when he inhaled it.

Top photo from @jibby4g and @sgnightingales / Instagram.