Married man who beat girlfriend to death jailed 20 years, more than what prosecution sought

SINGAPORE: A married man who beat his lover to death in a rage lasting nearly two hours was sentenced to 20 years' jail on Monday (Apr 22), longer than what the prosecution had argued for. 

M Krishnan, 40, had earlier pleaded guilty to one count of culpable homicide not amounting to murder after causing the death of Mallika Begum Rahamansa Abdul Rahman, also 40. The charge carries a maximum penalty of imprisonment for life and caning, or a jail term of up to 20 years, and a fine or caning. 

Krishnan, a Singaporean, had been upset over Ms Mallika's relationships with other men. His deadly attack caused Ms Mallika to die of a head injury on Jan 17, 2019.

BACKGROUND

Krishnan met Ms Mallika in 2015 and they began an affair while he was still married.

During his relationship with Ms Mallika, Krishnan hit her at least once in 2017. The abuse escalated from 2019 - after Ms Mallika confessed that she had had sexual relations with several men.  

On Jan 15, 2019, during a drinking session, Ms Mallika spoke of her other relationships and Krishnan punched her in the ribs and kicked her thigh. The violence caused her to fall and hit her head. When she did not get up, he pushed her, causing her head to hit the cabinet.

Ms Mallika sought medical treatment at a hospital on Jan 16 and was found to have suffered multiple abrasions on her face, hands, and forearms, among other injuries. A computed tomography scan found no evidence of intracranial haemorrhage, subdural haematoma or skull vault fracture.

That same day, after consuming alcohol throughout, Krishnan again became angry and frustrated with Ms Mallika's relationships with other men and assaulted her. He later helped her to the bed but realised she had stopped breathing. He then called the Singapore Civil Defence Force.

She was pronounced dead in the wee hours of Jan 17.

Krishnan was examined psychiatrically and was found to have adjustment disorder and was intoxicated, but was not intellectually disabled.

In a further report, he was diagnosed with intermittent explosive disorder (IED), which is a condition involving frequent impulsive anger outbursts or aggression. While the IED had "some contribution" to the commission of the offence, it did not impair his judgment and self-control, a psychiatrist found. 

The psychiatrist said that the level of violence inflicted on the victim was likely caused by the alcohol intoxication adding to the IED.

PROSECUTION SOUGHT 15 TO 18 YEARS' JAIL

During his sentencing on Monday, the prosecution sought 15 to 18 years' jail for his "appalling" brutality and cruelty against the victim. 

"The nature and severity of the deceased’s injuries are a testament to the violence that the accused inflicted on her and his intention to cause her death," said prosecutors in court documents, citing 112 entries in the autopsy report where bruises were found across her body. 

Apart from extensive injuries to her head, Ms Mallika suffered multiple rib fractures. 

They also mentioned Krishnan's history of abuse of domestic partners. Krishnan had been referred to the Institute of Mental Health for counselling for domestic violence from December 2015 to December 2016. He was violent both towards his wife - who obtained a personal protection order against him - and Ms Mallika before the latter's fatal assault. 

Beyond domestic violence, Krishnan has a criminal record of abusive behaviour towards public servants dating as far back as 2004. 

"This is a terrible case of domestic abuse. The accused’s savagery must be met with a suitably severe answer. His punishment must be commensurate with the suffering that he has caused to the deceased," said Deputy Public Prosecutors Timotheus Koh, Delicia Tan and Joelle Loy in court documents submitted to the court. 

In brief oral grounds, Justice Valeria Thean said she considered Krishnan's mental condition, but deemed that the causative link was "not sufficient to have impaired" Krishnan's capacity to understand the nature of his acts. His culpability would only be mitigated "to a limited extent" by his IED, said Justice Thean. 

The judge pointed out that Krishnan was aware of his behaviour and how it worsened when he consumed alcohol. She took Krishnan's voluntary intoxication to be an aggravating factor. 

Justice Thean also noted the brutality of the violence against Ms Mallika. 

"The present case appeared to be the culmination of years of unchecked domestic violence. In the circumstances, the sentence imposed on the accused must reflect the correct degree of public aversion," she said. 

Turning to the number of years to impose, Justice Thean compared Krishnan's case to a precedent where the offender was given 20 years' jail. 

While it was suggested that Krishnan's jail term should be lower due to his mental condition, a lack of premeditation and cover-up, the judge disagreed, especially given his history of abusing others. 

"In respect of this accused, he was aware, at least from 2018, that drinking heavily brought on incidents that he would regret," she said.

Krishnan promised the court then that he was a "reformed individual". Instead of seeking treatment, however, he continued drinking, noted Justice Thean. 

"The court cannot look askance at habitual domestic violence; nor can intoxication be used as an excuse where an offender realises he should use extra caution with alcohol."