A sibling dispute in Singapore escalated dramatically when Fock Ming Chai Daniel, 27, used a homemade flamethrower to burn his older brother’s door and subsequently slashed him with a chopper. The incident occurred on June 16, 2023, in their shared flat, leading to the victim being hospitalised and requiring reconstructive surgery.
## Background
Court documents reveal that Fock’s parents divorced in 2000, resulting in a strained family dynamic. Fock lived with his mother in a rental flat, while his brother stayed with their father and younger sister. In March 2023, Fock’s mother moved out, prompting him to temporarily move into the shared flat with his father and siblings. The brothers had a history of a “strained relationship.”
## Used homemade flamethrower to burn soap holder
On the morning of June 16, 2023, Fock discovered used dental floss on his toothbrush, which his brother had placed there. In retaliation, he used a lighter and an aerosol can to create a homemade flamethrower and burned the soap holder in the common toilet.
## Brother switched off wifi, got slashed and door burned
Upset by the burnt soap holder, Fock’s brother decided to annoy him into leaving the flat by switching off the wifi connection at around 2pm. Enraged, Fock used the homemade flamethrower to burn the bottom of his brother’s room door. When his brother opened the door and caught him in the act, Fock slashed him with a chopper, causing injuries to his right hand, chest, and right leg. The altercation ended when Fock calmed down.
## Arrested after brother sent to hospital
Fock’s younger sister, hearing the commotion, called an ambulance to take the victim to Tan Tock Seng Hospital. She also informed her older sister and, with the help of a social worker, lodged a police report. Fock was arrested at around 2am the next day and released on bail that afternoon. An Institute of Mental Health (IMH) doctor later diagnosed Fock with an adjustment reaction, an excessive response to stress.
## Went for reconstructive surgery, got 40 days MC
The victim sustained deep lacerations on his right hand, chest, and right leg, with some nerves and arteries in his right hand completely severed. He underwent reconstructive surgery on the same day and was briefly placed in a high dependency ward before being transferred to a normal ward. He was discharged on June 19 with 40 days of hospitalisation leave.
## An offence of domestic violence: Prosecution
Fock pleaded guilty to voluntarily causing hurt with a chopper on September 3. The prosecution sought a deterrent sentence of 16 to 18 months’ imprisonment, classifying the act as an “offence of domestic violence.” The prosecutor highlighted the severity of the injuries, noting that the victim would likely experience permanent numbness in his fingers due to nerve damage.
## Accused was abused by brother and had depression: Defence
In mitigation, Fock’s defence argued that he had a troubled childhood and was regularly abused by his brother, leading to a diagnosis of depression. His lawyer claimed that the victim had deliberately tried to provoke Fock on the day of the incident. While acknowledging Fock’s depressive disorder, the prosecution pointed out that the IMH report did not establish a causal link between his mental health and his actions. Fock is scheduled to be sentenced on September 19.
## Related incidents and future implications
This case highlights the severe consequences of domestic violence and the importance of addressing mental health issues within families. Similar incidents have occurred in Singapore, such as a 2022 case where a man chopped off another’s index finger over a staring incident. These events underscore the need for effective conflict resolution and mental health support to prevent such violent outbursts.
