Mother of man killed by father-in-law asks for monthly rent and $500,000 in damages

Singapore ― The mother of a man fatally stabbed by his father-in-law in 2017 is seeking at least S$500,000 in damages from the killer, including her monthly rent payments.

Businessman Spencer Tuppani, 38, was stabbed outside a coffee shop in Telok Ayer Street on July 10, 2017.

It was reported that the killer, Tan Nam Seng, 73, was angry with how his daughter, Shyller Tan Cheng Cheng was treated by Mr Tuppani.

Tan also believed that Mr Tuppani had cheated him of his shipping business, reported The Straits Times.

Tan is currently serving an 8-and-a-half-year jail sentence for the murder.

Mr Tuppani’s mother, Tham Poh Kwai, 64, sued Tan in Nov 2019, noting she was a dependent of her son and suffered loss and damage from the incident.

She calculated her losses to about S$5,050 a month, comprising a monthly allowance of S$2000, her rent, utilities, and medication.

On Wednesday (Oct 20), a court hearing was held to determine the amount of the damages Mdm Tham was entitled to.

The court heard that Mdm Tham lived in a four-storey house in Bedok with her two sons, Ms Tan, their three children and Tan.

When Mr Tuppani passed away, Mdm Tham lived briefly with his long-time mistress at Leedon Heights.

“I had to leave (the house in Bedok) because Tan Cheng Cheng’s father killed my son. I could not stay there,” she said to the court.

In Aug 2017, she moved into a West Coast Drive condominium; the tenancy agreement was signed three days before Mr Tuppani’s death.

About a year later, she moved into her current apartment in Jurong, which costs S$2,700 a month.

Mdm Tham noted she earns about S$2,500 a month as a receptionist and doesn’t receive financial support from her younger son.

When Tan’s lawyer suggested that Mdm Tham looks for a cheaper place, she said, “I cannot accept this. I can’t keep moving. I’m old; I’m tired.”

Ms Tan also suggested the same, telling the court that Mdm Tham would not have the kind of lifestyle if her son didn’t marry her.

When the amount of S$5,050 a month for damages was highlighted, Ms Tan added, “Not that much.”

The case was adjourned to Thursday (Oct 21) for oral submissions. /TISG

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