A man was sentenced to a 20-year jail term on Jan. 27 for setting his ex-girlfriend ablaze.
High court judge Judicial Commisioner (JC) Tan Siong Thye classified 45-year-old Lim Ghim Peow’s action as one of the worst cases of culpable homicide, adding that he was determined to kill 43-year-old Mary Yoong Mei Ling.
According to TODAY, Lim set Yoong on fire at her flat in Sengkang on May 25, 2012. As a result, 75 percent of her body was burnt and she died 14 hours later.
Lim was also suffering from a major depressive disorder at that time and when efforts to reconcile with Yoong failed, he took his tin of petrol, which he bought three months ago, and planned for two days on how to kill Yoong.
In sentencing Lim, JC Tan said that Lim was patient in his wait to kill Yoong and even prepared contingencies such as a lighter. JC Tan also noted that Lim is still conscious of the consequences of his actions despite his depression and did not care whether the fire will harm others in the process.
Although the maximum sentence was life imprisonment, JC Tan thought it was inappropriate and instead believes that the community interest in retribution can only be fulfilled through a hefty sentence given Lim’s mental condition.
Lim was detained three times under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act for being involved in secret society activities previously.
Source: TODAY
Photo: Thomas’ Pics
