S'pore man, 36, tried to smother adoptive mum with pillow to pay off 'hanging flowers' debt with inheritance

A man has been sentenced to four years and two months in jail for trying to kill his adoptive mother by smothering her with a pillow so that he could gain her inheritance to pay off a S$30,000 debt raked up from "hanging flowers" at night clubs.

"Hanging flowers" refers to the practice of presenting garlands as cash gifts for hostesses and artistes.

In addition, Yong Chun Hong, 36, also squandered an inheritance of over S$40,000 from his adoptive father in four months due to presenting garlands, Lianhe Zaobao reported.

He was initially accused of attempted murder, but his charge was reduced to performing an act that endangered human life, knowing that it would kill the victim.

Court documents did not provide details about why the charge was reduced.

His adoptive mother is aged 78.

Began visiting a night club four times a week in 2023 and spending S$1,000 per visit

According to court documents, Yong was adopted by the victim and her husband in 1991, when he was two years old.

Apart from Yong, they do not have any other adopted children or children of their own.

On Aug. 15, 2023, Yong's adoptive father passed away, leaving Yong with S$45,000 in inheritance.

In September 2023, Yong began visiting a night club called Club Axis with his friends.

He would visit the club about four times a week and spend around S$1,000 on each occasion.

There, he made the acquaintance of a performing artiste, whom he knew as "Baby", and would spend up to S$1,000 on her by either tipping or "hanging flowers".

Club Axis also allowed Yong to "hang flowers" on credit.

By Dec. 20, 2023, he owed Club Axis S$30,000 which he could not repay.

Asked his adoptive mother for help

When Club Axis demanded that he repay the debt, Yong turned to his adoptive mother for help, who then asked friends and relatives in turn for loans.

However, they were unwilling to assist when they knew that the loan was for Yong.

Yong then turned to unlicensed moneylenders and managed to borrow S$4,500.

He provided his adoptive mother's particulars to the unlicensed moneylenders as a guarantor for his loans without her permission.

She was upset when she found out and they quarrelled over his financial situation.

Unable to repay unlicensed moneylenders

Yong was unable to repay the unlicensed moneylenders and was charged S$700 to S$800 for each week that he delayed payment.

He became increasingly desperate as his debts snowballed and asked his adoptive mother if she could sell the flat to help him.

He also begged her daily to help him with his debts.

In response, she would scold him for borrowing from unlicensed moneylenders, especially when he was not working.

She also told him she had no more money and could not help him.

Began to plot for her death

Yong started to have thoughts that if his adoptive mother were to die, he would be the sole beneficiary of her estate and he could pull himself out of his dire financial straits.

From Jan. 4, 2024, he began searching online about medication, overdosing and death.

These searches were interspersed with other searches pertaining to loans, unlicensed moneylenders and CPF withdrawals.

Around Jan. 14 or 15, 2024, he quarrelled with his adoptive mother again about his debts at their flat.

She wanted to end the quarrel and went back to her bed to sleep.

Yong followed her into the bedroom and pressed down on her ribcage, saying she should sleep and die in Mandarin twice.

He then released the pressure and left.

Pressed a pillow on his adoptive mother's face

On Jan. 16, 2024, they quarrelled again and Yong repeated his comment that she should sleep and die.

This upset and angered his adoptive mother who retorted that she should be strangled to death or commit suicide.

Court documents stated that she said this out of stress, frustration and disappointment at Yong and did not harbour any intention to die or commit suicide.

Later in the evening, she grew tired of the argument and prepared to sleep.

However, just as she was about to doze off, Yong pressed a pillow on her face with force.

She immediately pushed away the pillow and shouted at Yong in Mandarin, "You want me to die, right?"

Yong then broke down and sought her forgiveness.

The woman did not dare to sleep for the rest of the night while Yong remained by her bed.

On Jan. 18, 2024, when she headed to a clinic to obtain prescription medication, she told the doctor what happened.

The doctor called the police and Yong was arrested on Jan. 22, 2024.

Prosecution called for a jail sentence of three to five years

In their sentencing submissions, the prosecution called for a jail sentence of three to five years.

They highlighted how Yong had been motivated by personal gain, how he had researched various options to cause his adoptive mother's death, and how he had carried out the act believing it would cause his mother's death.

Meanwhile, Yong's defence lawyer, Ashwin Ganapathy, called for a jail term of three years and two months, The Straits Times reported.

He said the woman had forgiven Yong and his offence was not premeditated.

She was present in the court room during the proceedings and was later quoted outside the courts as saying that she hoped her son would change when he is released.

Top photo by Nathan Waters via Unsplash