Man accused of kicking woman's face and causing fatal head injury in Teck Whye flat, his kids are witnesses
Christine Tan
The Straits Times
Aug 1, 2025
A man who allegedly kicked a woman's face, causing her to suffer a head injury leading to her death, has been charged.
Abu Talib Johari, 55, was charged on July 4 with one count of voluntarily causing grievous hurt to Madam Rupiah Buang, 59.
He allegedly did so between 6pm and 7pm on June 29, inside an HDB flat at Block 9 Teck Whye Lane.
The charge sheet did not state the relationship between Talib, a Singaporean, and Madam Rupiah.
Court records show that after Talib was charged, he was remanded at Changi Prison Complex Medical Centre for medical examination.
When the case was heard again on Aug 1, a police prosecutor said they had received an Institute of Mental Health report on Talib.
The police prosecutor asked for six weeks' adjournment to complete investigations, and for no bail to be offered to Talib.
This was because he had allegedly committed a serious offence, which was unprovoked and targeted a vulnerable part of the victim's body, said the prosecutor.
The prosecutor added that as two of Talib's children witnessed the alleged crime, there would be concerns of witness tampering if he was released on bail.
Talib, who did not have a lawyer, attended court via video link while in remand. He remained stoic as the prosecutor spoke.
When asked if he had anything to say in response, Talib said via a Malay interpreter: "I'm pleading with Your Honour's leniency to allow me to return home, as I need to settle a lot of things, including utility bills."
District Judge Eugene Teo replied: "All those matters will now have to wait.
"I agree with what the prosecution in this case said, that bail should not be offered given the nature of the charge."
If convicted of voluntarily causing grievous hurt, an offender can be jailed for up to 10 years, fined and caned. Talib cannot be caned as he is above 50 years old.
His case will be mentioned again on Sept 12.
