12 weeks' jail for man who breached protection order, repeatedly assaulted wife while drunk and on bail

SINGAPORE — While still drunk one afternoon after a session of heavy drinking the night before, Semon Ahvail suddenly and without provocation began hurling vulgarities at his wife.

Though the woman did not engage him so as not to worsen the situation, Semon repeatedly hit his wife, again for no reason.

This happened when he was subject to a personal protection order obtained by his wife, and when he was out on bail while under investigation for other offences committed against her just days earlier.

On Wednesday (Dec 28), the 57-year-old Singaporean man was sentenced to 12 weeks’ jail after pleading guilty to one count each of harassment, breaching a protection order and voluntarily causing hurt.

Two other charges were taken into consideration in sentencing.

The court heard that Semon had drunk alcohol alone in their house on Oct 24 this year until he fell asleep, while the family was out celebrating Deepavali.

He woke at about 1pm the next day, still intoxicated. Seeing his wife doing household chores in the kitchen, Semon began using vulgar language on her.

When the victim tried to leave the kitchen so as not to engage with him, Semon used a kitchen towel roll to hit her head twice, before slapping her on her left cheek.

Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Kevin Liew said: “The victim felt pain in her left cheek as a result of the accused’s action.” 

When the victim returned to the kitchen to continue with her housework, Semon twisted her right arm and threatened to kill her.

His wife was so alarmed that she called the police. Semon was arrested the same day.

He was found to have 200mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood at the time of the incident.

At that time, Semon was under investigation for other offences committed against his wife on Oct 21. He had been prohibited from contacting her and committing any offences while out on bail.

The offences on Oct 21 were the subject of the two charges taken into consideration during sentencing on Wednesday.

In seeking a jail term of between 12 and 16 weeks, DPP Liew pointed to Semon’s intoxication and the fact that the abuse was committed against his wife as aggravating factors.

He argued that Semon’s “persistence in engaging in criminal conduct towards his wife clearly demonstrates a proclivity towards such offending”, warranting a heavier sentence.

Court documents showed that Semon was previously jailed for nine weeks after being convicted of five charges, with three charges taken into consideration in sentencing. 

These offences were also committed against the same victim.

Anyone convicted of breaching a protection order can be fined up to S$2,000 or jailed for up to six months, or both. 

For voluntarily causing hurt, Semon could have been jailed for no more than three years or fined up to S$5,000, or both.

The offence of causing harassment attracts a jail term up to six months or a fine of up to S$5,000, or both. 

A repeat offender can be handed a heavier sentence.