Abdul Karim V. Sickander, a 59-year-old man who had previously served time in prison for a drug conviction, pleaded guilty on Monday to four charges, including causing grievous hurt with a dangerous weapon and drug offenses.
According to The Straits Times report, the charges relate to a horrific incident on June 23, 2022, where Abdul Karim attacked his former flatmate and the man’s girlfriend, causing them severe injuries and permanent scarring.
BACK STORY
Abdul Karim had been released from prison on April 13, 2020, and was under a remission order until October 7, 2022. He rented a flat in Yishun and entered into a relationship with a woman named Tuti. However, he began suspecting his flatmate of having an affair with Tuti, even though these suspicions were unfounded, according to Deputy Public Prosecutor Matthew Choo.
After repeatedly confronting his flatmate about his suspicions, the flatmate eventually moved out of the flat. On the day of the incident, Abdul Karim returned home after work, intoxicated from alcohol and methamphetamine. Discovering that his former flatmate and his girlfriend were at the flat to collect belongings, Abdul Karim armed himself with two knives and left the flat, ST reported.
The couple, wanting to avoid a confrontation, went down to the void deck and called the police. Believing that the police were handling the situation, they later returned to the 10th floor. However, they encountered Abdul Karim waiting at the lift lobby. Without warning, he entered the lift and launched a vicious attack, slashing his former flatmate.
GIRL FRIEND CALLS POLICE
The girlfriend bravely tried to intervene, but she too became a victim of Abdul Karim’s violent assault. Managing to escape from the lift, she ran along the corridor, screaming for help. Meanwhile, the lift doors closed, trapping Abdul Karim and his victim inside as he continued his relentless slashing and stabbing until the lift reached the ground floor.
The police, responding to the girlfriend’s call, apprehended Abdul Karim. Both victims were rushed to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, where the man underwent emergency surgery for multiple lacerations and was discharged after five days of hospitalization. The girlfriend also required surgery and was discharged after four days.
During the court hearing, Deputy Public Prosecutor Matthew Choo requested a sentence of 14 to 15 years in jail for Abdul Karim, along with an enhanced sentence of 107 days’ imprisonment. Choo described the attack as premeditated, brutal, and indiscriminate, emphasizing the seriousness of the crimes committed.
The judge has requested a report to assess whether Abdul Karim is suitable for preventive detention, a measure imposed on repeat offenders for the protection of the public. Abdul Karim is scheduled to be sentenced on June 13.
Images via ST
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