Public Prosecutor v Shoo Ah San: Attempted Murder Sentencing for Stabbing Daughter
In Public Prosecutor v Shoo Ah San, the High Court of Singapore sentenced Shoo Ah San to 15 years' imprisonment for the attempted murder of his daughter. Shoo Ah San, a Malaysian citizen, traveled to Singapore and stabbed his daughter multiple times in a public area. The court, presided over by Justice Aedit Abdullah, considered the severity of the injuries, the public nature of the attack, and the viciousness of the act in determining the sentence. A charge of possession of a weapon was also taken into consideration.
1. Case Overview
1.1 Court
General Division of the High Court of the Republic of Singapore1.2 Outcome
Accused sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment.
1.3 Case Type
Criminal
1.4 Judgment Type
Ex Tempore Judgment
1.5 Jurisdiction
Singapore
1.6 Description
Shoo Ah San was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment for the attempted murder of his daughter. The High Court considered the viciousness of the attack and public safety.
1.7 Decision Date
2. Parties and Outcomes
| Party Name | Role | Type | Outcome | Outcome Type | Counsels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Prosecutor | Prosecution | Government Agency | Judgment for the Prosecution | Won | Zhou Yang of Attorney-General’s Chambers Hay Hung Chun of Attorney-General’s Chambers |
| Shoo Ah San | Defendant | Individual | Conviction and Imprisonment | Lost |
3. Judges
| Judge Name | Title | Delivered Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| Aedit Abdullah | Judge | Yes |
4. Counsels
| Counsel Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Zhou Yang | Attorney-General’s Chambers |
| Hay Hung Chun | Attorney-General’s Chambers |
| Victor David Lau Dek Kai | Drew & Napier LLC |
| Lin Qingxun | Drew & Napier LLC |
4. Facts
- The accused was in a dispute with his daughter and son regarding property in Malaysia.
- The accused traveled to Singapore from Malaysia to find his daughter.
- The accused intended to kill his daughter and then himself.
- The accused stabbed his daughter multiple times with a serrated knife.
- The daughter suffered substantial injuries, including collapsed lungs and stab wounds.
- The accused attacked his daughter twice, stopping only when blood flowed from her mouth.
- The attacks occurred in a public place, causing disquiet and fear.
5. Formal Citations
- Public Prosecutor v Shoo Ah San, Criminal Case No 35 of 2021, [2021] SGHC 251
6. Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Accused travelled to Singapore from Malacca. | |
| Accused waited in the vicinity of Marsiling Lane. | |
| Accused attacked his daughter. | |
| Accused was arrested in Kaki Bukit. | |
| Judgment reserved. | |
| Judgment delivered. |
7. Legal Issues
- Attempted Murder
- Outcome: The court found the accused guilty of attempted murder.
- Category: Substantive
- Sentencing Principles
- Outcome: The court considered rehabilitation, deterrence, and retribution in determining the appropriate sentence.
- Category: Procedural
8. Remedies Sought
- Imprisonment
9. Cause of Actions
- Attempted Murder
10. Practice Areas
- Criminal Law
- Sentencing
11. Industries
- No industries specified
12. Cited Cases
| Case Name | Court | Affirmed | Citation | Jurisdiction | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PP v Law Aik Meng | High Court | Yes | [2007] 2 SLR(R) 814 | Singapore | Cited for the general proposition that specific deterrence is required where a crime is premeditated. |
| PP v Luan Yuanxin | High Court | Yes | [2002] 1 SLR(R) 613 | Singapore | Cited for the proposition that crimes of violence are particularly heinous if committed in a domestic setting. |
| Yap Ah Lai v PP | High Court | Yes | [2014] 3 SLR 180 | Singapore | Cited for the proposition that a clean record should merit some leniency. |
| PP v UI | High Court | Yes | [2008] 4 SLR(R) 500 | Singapore | Cited for the proposition that where a long sentence amounts to a life sentence, a reduction should be given, unless a life sentence is warranted. |
| PP v Yue Roger Jr | High Court | Yes | [2019] 3 SLR 749 | Singapore | Cited for the observation that while the imposition of effective life sentences on older offenders should generally be avoided, this was not an absolute rule, and could be displaced for heinous offences. |
| Yue Roger Jr v PP | Court of Appeal | Yes | [2019] 1 SLR 829 | Singapore | Cited as the Court of Appeal agreed with the total sentence of 25 years’ imprisonment imposed and did not disturb it. |
| Ewe Pang Kooi v PP | Court of Appeal | Yes | [2020] 1 SLR 757 | Singapore | Cited for the proposition that there are limits to the principle that a sentencing court should be mindful of the real effect of a sentence on an offender of advanced age. |
| PP v Ravindran Annamalai | High Court | Yes | [2013] SGHC 77 | Singapore | Compared to the present case, noting that Ravindran involved a less vicious attack. |
| PP v BPK | High Court | Yes | [2018] 5 SLR 755 | Singapore | Compared to the present case, noting that the sentence imposed after trial there was perhaps too low. |
| Saeng-Un Udom v PP | Court of Appeal | Yes | [2001] 2 SLR(R) 1 | Singapore | Cited for the proposition that in the circumstances in the present case, a sentence significantly lower than the maximum of 20 years should be imposed. |
13. Applicable Rules
| Rule Name |
|---|
| No applicable rules |
14. Applicable Statutes
| Statute Name | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| Penal Code | Singapore |
| Penal Code (Cap 224, 2008 Rev Ed) | Singapore |
| Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act (Cap 65, 2013 Rev Ed) | Singapore |
15. Key Terms and Keywords
15.1 Key Terms
- Attempted murder
- Sentencing
- Deterrence
- Retribution
- Viciousness
- Premeditation
- Public disquiet
15.2 Keywords
- Attempted murder
- Sentencing
- Singapore
- Criminal law
- High Court
17. Areas of Law
| Area Name | Relevance Score |
|---|---|
| Criminal Law | 95 |
| Offences | 95 |
| Attempt to Murder | 95 |
| Sentencing | 90 |
| Criminal Procedure | 90 |
| Murder | 90 |
| Principles | 80 |
| Criminal Revision | 5 |
| Cross-Border Insolvency | 1 |
16. Subjects
- Criminal Law
- Sentencing