S’porean welfare home officer elbows, kicks 10-year-old boy whom he thought was smirking at him

Welfare officer fined for abusing authority and hitting 10-year-old boy he thought was smirking

An officer at a welfare home pleaded guilty yesterday (31 Aug) for hitting a 10-year-old boy who allegedly smirked at him.

The 43-year-old man told the boy that the nearby CCTV camera was not working before elbowing and kicking him.

Victim scolded in prayer hall for climbing onto second-floor parapet

According to CNA, the officer had worked at the welfare home since 2018. His job was to supervise residents.

Welfare homes are residential facilities that provide long-term shelter and care for a diverse array of vulnerable people.

One such individual was the 10-year-old victim, who had been at the home for around half a year.

On 11 Aug 2025, the officer’s colleague informed him that she saw the boy climbing a parapet on the second storey.

Afterwards, the victim went to the welfare home’s prayer hall, where 16 other residents were present.

The officer scolded him about what he had done.

Welfare officer hits boy after telling him CCTV camera wasn’t working

However, the officer then thought he saw the boy smirking at him. He thus scolded the victim with Hokkien vulgarities and threatened to spit on him.

The officer told the victim that a CCTV camera in the area was not working, purposefully implying that he could assault the boy without being caught.

He made good on his implied threat by elbowing the victim on the left side of his face, hard enough to stagger him.

The officer followed by kicking the boy in the left leg and shoving him on the chest, knocking him over.

The noise of him hitting the floor alerted the others in the prayer hall, and the officer then told the victim to join them for prayer.

Despite his earlier claim, CCTV cameras recorded the officer’s actions.

Later on 11 Aug 2025, the victim sought medical treatment, resulting in the doctor making a police report.

Prosecution says welfare officer abused authority to assault boy

On 31 Aug 2026, the officer pleaded guilty to a charge of ill-treating a child under his care.

The prosecution highlighted that the man used his position of authority in assaulting the vulnerable young victim.

He deliberately tried to avoid detection, such as telling the victim that the CCTV camera was not working. The officer also checked over his shoulder for witnesses before elbowing the boy.

Additionally, the prosecution stated that the man is a silat martial artist.

He thus sought a fine between S$6,000 and S$8,000.

Officer still employed at welfare home after ill-treatment case

The defence argued that his client was a “good officer” and labelled the assault as a one-off incident.

He said the officer has sought professional counselling and promised not to break the law again. As a result, the defence pleaded for a lower fine.

It was reported that the officer was still employed at the welfare home, but no longer dealt directly with residents.

The judge took this to mean the man’s services were valued. However, he stated that the man still abused his authority and premeditated his actions.

Ultimately, the judge handed the officer the maximum fine of S$8,000. He warned the man that reoffending would likely lead to a jail term.

Also read: S’pore preschool teacher jailed 8 months for slapping toddler & pushing his face during feeding

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Featured image adapted from Aflo Images on Canva, for illustration purposes only, and by MS News.