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SINGAPORE, October 31 – A 50-year-old Singaporean woman was brought back to court yesterday on numerous charges including forcing two people to swallow human feces.
Woo May Hoe had pretended to be “the incarnation of an (Indian) goddess” for eight years and attracted “certain devotees” who are the subject of the charges, Deputy Prosecutor (DPP) Winston Man told the court.
He now faces a total of 10 charges, such as cheating and causing serious damage.
The following are the crimes that Woo is accused of committing against eight people so far.
- Between early 2013 and early 2015: Tricked a woman into giving her 3.5 million Singapore dollars (Ringgit 10.6 million), after lying that she had to sponsor the expansion of a school built by “Amma” (meaning “mother” in Tamil) in Vellore Village in India.
- Between March 2016 and May 2019: He tricked a woman into giving up Singapore $ 57,780. Woo allegedly lied to the victim by telling her that he had to pay part of the interest on a S $ 500,000 loan, which Woo had obtained from an unlicensed lender. The loan was supposedly for a down payment on the purchase of real estate in Bedok.
- May 2017: Tricked a third woman into giving her a bracelet worth S $ 13,000, after lying that she was raising money to sponsor the construction of a temple in India.
- February 2018: Tricked a fourth woman into giving $ 27,000 in cash to pay for a condo unit at The Tapestry in Tampines.
- February 20, 2018: Forced someone to swallow human feces as punishment in an apartment in Punggol Central.
- August or September 2019: Used a pair of forceps to forcibly remove a tooth from a fifth woman, aged 40, causing permanent disfigurement to her face.
- September 2019 – Hit the mouth of a sixth woman multiple times with a soup ladle, breaking one of her teeth on the property in Bedok.
- End of September 2019: Tweezers were used to break several of the 40-year-old woman’s teeth on the same property.
- October 18, 2019: Seriously injured the same woman in an apartment along 4 Kaki Bukit Avenue, using a paint roller brush on the back of her head and right hand. The victim suffered a fracture of his right hand.
- December 2, 2019: Forced someone to swallow human feces on the same floor.
Nineteen victims with another four to come
Yesterday, DPP Man requested that Woo, who does not have a lawyer, remain in pre-trial detention for one more week. She was arrested and placed in preventive detention for the first time on October 10.
The prosecutor explained that investigators have already identified 19 victims and “intend to involve another four in the next week.”
When Woo was first arrested, she was hospitalized that same day and was released three days later.
This prevented the investigating officer’s attempts to interview her, the DPP said, and the statements taken from her during that period were “very superficial” due to concerns about her well-being.
She added that if she is detained, the police can easily approach her to take statements about the next four victims.
Woo had previously claimed to have heard voices, so DPP Man said that when they finally send her to the Institute of Mental Health for a psychiatric evaluation, doctors should have “a complete picture of their crimes.”
The prosecution also does not want her to interfere with witnesses, he added.
“The period of exploitation lasted more than eight years and there is some concern about the mentality of victims and followers.”
When DPP Man told the court that the total amount that Woo allegedly deceived his victims is anticipated to be “at least double” what he is now charged with, she responded in Mandarin: “I never agree, I want to hire a lawyer. I’m very tired and have been very cooperative. My whole body hurts. “
In granting the additional and final pre-trial period, District Judge Terence Tay noted that Woo’s alleged deception was “on a spiritual level.”
However, he warned the prosecutor to consider Woo’s rights to freedom. He also instructed the investigating officer to ensure that he receives medical attention if he complains of discomfort.
Woo will return to court on November 6.
If convicted of causing harm by forcing someone to swallow a harmful substance, she could be jailed for up to 10 years and fined. Causing serious harm carries the same punishment.
Both crimes also carry the possibility of spanking, but women cannot be spanked by law here.
If convicted of cheating, she could also be jailed for up to 10 years and fined. – TODAY
