Wife still looked after him

SINGAPORE - She did not stop looking after her husband of nearly 30 years and her elderly mother-in-law, even after learning of her husband's affair.

The husband, Eng Eik Khoon, 52, was jailed for six weeks on Tuesday for posting nude photographs of his former mistress online.

He was involved with the woman from February 2012 to July last year. At 26, she is half his age.

Eng had a stroke last August and requires help to move around.

After he was taken away to serve his sentence, a weeping woman believed to be his wife pushed his empty wheelchair out of the courtroom.

She declined to speak to reporters.

When The New Paper visited Eng's flat yesterday, his mother, who wanted to be known only as Madam Wong, said her daughter-in-law was filial and the sole breadwinner of the family after Eng's stroke.

Mrs Eng was not at home and could not be reached for comment.

Madam Wong, 78, said: "She works in the day, but every morning, she will help bathe my son before leaving for work."

Eng has been jobless since his stroke and has to visit the hospital regularly. Mrs Eng always accompanied him, said Madam Wong. She said her daughter-in-law also paid her medical bills of $300 a month. She has high blood pressure and heart problems.

Madam Wong said the couple, who have no children, had a strong relationship, adding: "She knew about the affair, but there were no fights or quarrels between them. If there had been any, I would have known since I have lived here for three years."

Madam Wong said she did not know much about the affair as the couple did not share their problems with her.

Eng's mistress has a husband in China, reported Chinese newspaper Shin Min Daily News. Her identity cannot be revealed because of a gag order.

Eng recorded a sex video without her permission in 2012 and took nude photographs of her with his mobile phone while she was asleep last year.

Last November, after their relationship ended, Eng sent her a threatening text message that read: "If you refuse to see me again, do not blame me, I have to tell (your husband) everything."

He posted six of the photographs on two QQ accounts, a Chinese social media platform, that month.

Investigations revealed that he wanted to embarrass her and knew the photographs would be seen by others.

He pleaded guilty to two charges of intending to insult her modesty and one of electronically transmitting obscene objects. Two other charges were taken into consideration

In mitigation, Eng said he is unemployed and unable to take care of himself because of his condition.

He asked District Judge Siva Shanmugam for leniency.

The judge said Eng's needs would be catered for in jail and asked for a review of his medical condition in prison.

Eng could have been jailed up to two years and three months and fined.

ngjunsen@sph.com.sg

This article was published on April 3 in The New Paper.

Get The New Paper for more stories.