Public Prosecutor v Katun Bee Bte S Ibrahim: Culpable Homicide under Section 304(b) of the Penal Code

In Public Prosecutor v Katun Bee Bte S Ibrahim, the High Court of Singapore convicted Katun Bee of culpable homicide under section 304(b) of the Penal Code for causing the death of G Subramaniam by stabbing him. The incident occurred on 13 January 2003. The court, presided over by Justice Woo Bih Li, sentenced Katun Bee to three years and six months' imprisonment, starting from the date of her arrest on 13 January 2003.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Accused convicted of culpable homicide and sentenced to imprisonment.

1.3 Case Type

Criminal

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Katun Bee was convicted of culpable homicide for stabbing G Subramaniam. The court sentenced her to three years and six months' imprisonment.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Public ProsecutorProsecutionGovernment AgencyJudgment for ProsecutionWon
Nor'ashikin Bte Samdin of Deputy Public Prosecutors
Ho Su-Lyn of Deputy Public Prosecutors
Katun Bee Bte S IbrahimDefendantIndividualConvictedLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Woo Bih LiJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Nor'ashikin Bte SamdinDeputy Public Prosecutors
Ho Su-LynDeputy Public Prosecutors
PaulPaul Tan and Partners

4. Facts

  1. The Accused was charged with culpable homicide for causing the death of Subramaniam by stabbing him.
  2. The incident occurred on 13 January 2003 at Block 12 Bedok South Avenue 2.
  3. The Accused and Subramaniam had been in a relationship and cohabited at the Premises.
  4. The Accused and Subramaniam had a history of quarrels, often fueled by Subramaniam's excessive drinking.
  5. On the night of the incident, neighbors heard shouting and sounds of a struggle from the couple's flat.
  6. The Accused was found to have a strong smell of alcohol on her breath after the incident.
  7. The Accused told her son that she had stabbed Subramaniam.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Public Prosecutor v Katun Bee Bte S Ibrahim, CC 25/2003, [2004] SGHC 46

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Accused and Subramaniam seen shouting outside Bedok Neighbourhood Police Post.
Police advised the couple to resolve their dispute amicably.
Accused found at void deck of Block 12 Bedok South Road, smelling of alcohol.
Accused taken to her son-in-law's home after being found lost.
Accused stabbed Subramaniam at the Premises.
Accused approached a group of friends at the void deck of Block 245 Tampines Street 21.
Police officers brought the Accused to her son’s home.
Accused seen at the third floor lift landing of Block 13.
Subramaniam's body found outside the Premises.
Accused arrested.
Judgment Date

7. Legal Issues

  1. Culpable Homicide
    • Outcome: The court found the accused guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder under s 304(b) of the Penal Code.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Imprisonment

9. Cause of Actions

  • Culpable Homicide

10. Practice Areas

  • Criminal Litigation

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
No cited cases

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Penal Code (Cap 224, 1985 Rev Ed) s 304(b)Singapore
Criminal Procedure Code (Cap 68, 1985 Rev Ed)Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Culpable Homicide
  • Stabbing
  • Intoxication
  • Self-Defense
  • Penal Code
  • Quarrel
  • Aggressor

15.2 Keywords

  • Culpable Homicide
  • Singapore
  • Criminal Law
  • Stabbing
  • Katun Bee
  • Subramaniam

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Culpable Homicide95
Criminal Law90
Evidence60
Criminal Procedure50
Sentencing40

16. Subjects

  • Criminal Law
  • Homicide