YEA PING CHAN AND FOO KHONG HEOW FROM LEWISHAM SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the Lewisham community, a couple identified as Yea Ping Chan, aged 42, and Foo Khong Heow, aged 49, have been sentenced to prison for subjecting three young children to severe physical abuse. The incident came to light after authorities uncovered a pattern of relentless cruelty inflicted upon the children, including a six-year-old girl they had adopted, a three-year-old girl, and a seven-year-old boy who were all under their care.

The case was brought before Woolwich Crown Court, where both defendants pleaded guilty to charges of cruelty to a person under 16 years of age. Chan admitted to assault by beating, while both were charged with multiple counts of child cruelty. Their sentencing followed a detailed investigation that revealed the extent of the abuse and the horrifying conditions the children endured.

The initial concern arose on September 1, 2017, when police received a referral from the NSPCC requesting a welfare check on the three-year-old girl. The referral was prompted by reports that the child was covered from head to toe with bruises. When officers arrived at the residence on Baring Road in Lewisham, they were met by Chan, who led them into a front sitting room where all three children were present.

It was immediately apparent to the officers that the child in question was the one referenced in the referral. The young girl’s face was marred with severe bruising on both cheeks, and she was wearing winter gloves indoors, which raised further concern. When questioned about her injuries, Chan claimed that the bruises on her face resulted from her sucking on her face during a prayer ritual, demonstrating by sucking on her own hand. She also explained that the gloves were worn because the child bites her nails.

Further examination of the child’s injuries revealed older bruises on her arms, and her hands were covered with the gloves she was wearing. The officers attempted to speak with her, but she was unable to provide any explanation for her injuries. The two older children were also questioned; they revealed that Chan had punished the three-year-old girl because she was biting her fingernails and toenails. They described her as being very upset and crying loudly during these incidents.

When asked about the practice of the sucking punishment, the children stated that sometimes Heow was involved in it, but on this occasion, Chan was responsible for causing the injuries. Both Chan and Heow were subsequently arrested, and the children were taken to A&E for medical assessment. The medical professionals documented a total of 54 injuries on the three-year-old girl, which were classified as non-accidental injuries, indicating deliberate harm.

Police seized an extensive CCTV system from the residence, which contained approximately 170 hours of footage. The investigation revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse, with the footage showing assaults on all three children, predominantly targeting the youngest. The videos depicted the three-year-old being assaulted almost daily, often during the night. In some instances, Chan was seen dragging her out of bed by her hair and subjecting her to prolonged abuse lasting up to seven hours. The abuse included biting, sucking, pushing, shaking, and hitting her with various implements.

One particularly distressing scene showed Chan placing a cloth or clothing into the child's mouth while assaulting her and sitting on top of her body. When not being physically assaulted, the child was forced to stand in stress positions and squat continuously. Throughout this period, no medical attention was sought for her injuries, highlighting the neglect and severity of the abuse.

Heow was also recorded forcing his feet into the three-year-old’s mouth and violently hitting her and the six-year-old with a stick. The footage painted a harrowing picture of systematic cruelty inflicted by the couple. The police charged both Chan and Heow on December 19, 2017, with multiple counts of child cruelty and assault. Their sentences, handed down at Woolwich Crown Court, reflect the gravity of their actions, with Chan receiving four years and two months in prison, and Heow receiving three years and four months.

This case underscores the importance of vigilance and swift action in protecting vulnerable children from abuse. The children have since been placed in foster care, away from their abusive guardians, and are now receiving the necessary support to recover from their traumatic experiences.