In a jaw-dropping incident in Singapore, an elderly man has been sentenced to 11 months in jail following a brutal double attack on a married couple in Chinatown, invoking both fear and disbelief in the community.

The perpetrator, 78-year-old Mun Yew Wah, embarked on a violent spree after an argument at a hair salon. What began as a disagreement escalated into chaos when Mun first struck the couple with a hammer he purchased from a nearby hardware store.

On July 27, 2024, after confronting the couple at the salon, Mun stormed out, only to arm himself with a hammer and later a knife. He viciously attacked the 54-year-old woman, stabbing her in the shoulder, and slashed her 66-year-old husband on his chest and ear. This brazen act of violence unfolded in broad daylight, shocking bystanders.

Quick to flee the scene, Mun was apprehended shortly after his second attack, which left the couple needing immediate medical attention. The woman required surgery for a 5cm-deep wound, resulting in a five-day hospital stay, while her husband also suffered injuries that kept him hospitalized for two weeks.

During the trial on September 2, Deputy Public Prosecutor Samuel Chew painted a picture of premeditated violence, advocating for a jail sentence of 11 to 12 months. Mun’s defense, however, highlighted his mental health issues, including a neurocognitive disorder linked to Alzheimer’s disease, which reportedly impaired his ability to control his actions.

Defense attorney Tham Kok Leong pleaded for leniency, citing Mun’s age and recent knee surgery, urging the court to take his deteriorating condition into account.

This incident has raised significant concerns about public safety and the troubling implications of mental health on violent behavior, reminding us that every community must remain vigilant.