A 34-year-old man allegedly tried to kill a sleeping 77-year-old woman by pressing a pillow over her face.

The police said that both parties are known to each other, reported CNA.

According to The Straits Times, the man is believed to be the woman's son.

The paper reported that the police were alerted to an assault at a residential unit in Serangoon Central at about 4:45pm on Jan. 18.

Preliminary investigations by the police revealed that the man allegedly attempted to murder his mother on Jan. 16. He was arrested.

The man is scheduled to be charged in court on Jan. 24.

If convicted of attempted murder, the man faces life imprisonment and caning.

He can be also jailed for up to 20 years and fined or caned, or both.

Top image from Canva