SINGAPORE - A 29-year-old man who murdered his girlfriend's nine-month-old son by pushing the baby's head against the floorboard of his van was sentenced to life imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane on Thursday (Aug 11).

Mohamed Aliff Mohamed Yusoff was convicted of murder last month after the High Court rejected his claim that the baby, Izz Fayyaz Zayani Ahmad, had hit his head after accidentally falling from the accused's arm.

The incident took place between 10pm on Nov 7, 2019 and 12.15am on Nov 8, 2019 in a carpark in Yishun Street 81. Aliff had offered to take care of Izz that night.

In sentencing Aliff, High Court judge Mavis Chionh found that the circumstances of the case did not warrant the death penalty.

The prosecution sought life imprisonment and 15 to 18 strokes of the cane, while the defence sought life imprisonment and five to six strokes of the cane.

Justice Chionh said the courts have taken a tough stance towards offenders who cause the deaths of defenceless young victims by violence.

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The judge noted the physical disparity between Aliff, a full-grown adult man, and Izz, who was 71cm tall and weighed 8.3kg.

She said the baby's total inability to defend himself rendered him an especially vulnerable victim.

Justice Chionh said Aliff's actions after causing the baby's death showed a "disturbing lack of remorse".

Instead of seeking medical attention, Aliff suggested to his girlfriend, Ms Nadiah Abdul Jalil, that they should pay someone to bury Izz and report him as missing a year later.

Aliff told Ms Nadiah they should tell the same story of an accidental fall, and delayed taking her and Izz to the National University Hospital accident and emergency department.

This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.