Couple who allegedly sprayed disinfectant, hurled vulgarities at neighbours to be charged with harassment
Screenshots of Instagram posts showing alleged acts of harassment by a couple against their neighbour. (Photos: Instagram/jibby4g/habby.yabby)
SINGAPORE: A couple will be charged on Friday (May 21) for allegedly harassing their neighbours by spraying disinfectant towards their unit.
The 55-year-old man and 48-year old woman are also accused of using vulgarities and making insulting remarks at their neighbours, as well as splashing water along the shared common corridor, said the police on Thursday.
On Mar 3, Instagram user jibby4g, who works as a nurse in Sengkang General Hospital, uploaded a video showing soap water being splashed outside his house. In the post, he also included a video recorded in December 2020 of disinfectant solution being sprayed in the direction of his house.
"My son would cough due to the strong smell of the disinfecting solution and when he coughs, the school centre will reject him," he said.
On Thursday, his wife posted photos on her Instagram account habby.yabby, showing soap water covering the floor outside their flat. She described the incidents of harassment as "mental torture".
In a media release, the police said they received an initial report about harassment of neighbours on May 15 last year.
"Whilst investigations were ongoing, the police received several additional reports between October 2020 and January 2021 alleging similar harassment by the duo despite all parties involved in the incidents attending mediation at the Community Mediation Centre in June 2020 to seek a resolution to the matter," said the police.
They added that investigations are ongoing against the woman for additional offences allegedly committed against her neighbours which were reported last month.
Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) said in a Facebook post on May 18 last year that the nurse had lodged a police report, noting a video posted about the neighbour's behaviour.
"SKH takes a serious view of this incident. Our medical personnel work hard to provide the care our patients need, especially during this time when the world is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic," the hospital said then.
"They deserve consideration, respect, and a safe environment both at work and at home so that they can continue giving their best. We are currently providing our staff with support during this challenging time."
The hospital called on members of the public to respect its medical staff members, adding that cases of physical or verbal abuse of its healthcare employees will be reported to the police.
On Thursday, the police said that over the course of their investigations into the matter, they have remained in contact with the parties involved and advised them to minimise contact with each other.
The 48-year old woman will also be charged for allegedly causing public nuisance in an unrelated incident.
Those found guilty of intentionally causing harassment can be fined up to S$5,000, jailed for up to six months, or both.
If convicted of public nuisance, offenders can be jailed for up to three months, fined up to S$2,000, or both.
