SINGAPORE: A Singapore courtroom has dismissed a person’s lawsuit in opposition to his neighbour after discovering there was no proof to assist claims of assault, battery and harassment.
The case centred on a long-running dispute between neighbours dwelling alongside the identical hall at Block 633 Pasir Ris Drive 3. The claimant, Mr Mah Kiat Seng, had sought about S$40,000 in damages over three separate incidents between July 2024 and Could 2025.
The courtroom, nonetheless, dominated in opposition to him and ordered him to pay S$10,000 in authorized prices to his neighbour as a substitute.
In line with a judgment printed on June 17, District Decide Chiah Kok Khun discovered that Mr Mah did not show his claims on a steadiness of possibilities. Channel NewsAsia (CNA) reported that the choose discovered no impartial proof supporting the allegations.
Lack of proof proved deadly to the declare
Mah alleged that the primary incident occurred in July 2024 close to the shared garbage chute exterior the raise foyer. He claimed his neighbour’s father had scolded him for making noise whereas strolling in slippers. He additionally alleged that his neighbour grew to become aggressive, rushed in the direction of him and grabbed his hand, inflicting ache.
The courtroom discovered no witnesses, pictures, medical data or different impartial proof to assist these claims. Decide Chiah stated the courtroom was left solely with Mah’s model of occasions. With out supporting proof, the allegations couldn’t be established.
The choose reached an analogous conclusion concerning two later incidents in March and Could 2025, the place Mah accused his neighbour of harassment.
CCTV footage and data supported the neighbour’s account
The neighbour introduced a really totally different model of occasions and backed it up with proof. For the July 2024 dispute, he stated he had returned dwelling after taking his canine exterior and denied threatening or bodily attacking Mah.
The neighbour instructed the courtroom that an argument occurred, however stated he by no means grabbed or charged at his neighbour.
The choose additionally famous {that a} personal summons beforehand filed by Mah over the identical incident had been withdrawn after intervention by the Lawyer-Normal’s Chambers.
For the March 2025 incident, the neighbour produced CCTV footage and telephone data displaying he was caring for an injured stray cat and talking with the Nationwide Parks Board (NParks) when the disagreement occurred.
The footage confirmed him carrying meals for the cat, supporting his clarification that he was following the animal moderately than confronting Mah.
Video proof contradicted harassment allegations
The ultimate incident in Could 2025 revolved round complaints about noise exterior the flats. The neighbour stated he needed to talk with Mah to resolve considerations about loud stomping that had disturbed his aged mom.
CCTV footage confirmed him strolling in the direction of Mah’s flat and returning with none confrontation. The neighbour additionally supplied recordings displaying Mah shouting exterior the unit.
After reviewing the proof, the courtroom concluded there was inadequate proof that the neighbour had dedicated assault, battery or harassment. The lawsuit was dismissed in full, and prices of S$10,000 had been awarded to the neighbour.
Proof speaks louder than allegations
Neighbour disputes are among the many commonest conflicts in dense city housing estates, however allegations alone should not sufficient in courtroom.
Whether or not the dispute includes harassment, noise complaints or bodily confrontations, judges depend on proof moderately than competing private accounts. CCTV footage, data and impartial witnesses can carry extra weight than accusations made after the very fact.
Documenting incidents correctly and searching for sensible options early might forestall disagreements from escalating into prolonged and dear authorized battles for residents going through conflicts with neighbours.
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