A 48-year-old father was sentenced to six months in jail on Tuesday for willful abandoning his disabled son in Singapore three years ago.
Apple Daily reports that the defendant, Chan Chai-wai, was accused of taking his then 11-year-old son – who is mentally disabled, deaf and mute – from Hong Kong to Singapore and leaving him alone at Marina Promenade.
Chan flew back alone to Hong Kong and was arrested later by the police.
At Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Court, Chan’s lawyer described him as an introverted person, and argued that he had been under tremendous pressure in taking care of his son. He said Chan believed the boy would receive better care in Singapore than in Hong Kong.
Acting Principal Magistrate So Man-lung said the defendant was “ignorant” and a deterrent punishment was necessary to reflect the gravity of the offense.