Vietnamese Woman Receives Jail Time for Bigamy in Singapore

In a recent case in Singapore, a 36-year-old woman has been sentenced to 12 weeks in jail after admitting to bigamy, an offense that is illegal in the country. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thuy, a Vietnamese national, also misled the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority by claiming she had no children. This deceit was taken into account during her sentencing.

Background of the Case

Nguyen’s legal troubles stem from her marriage history. In 2008, at the age of 19, she married a 54-year-old Singaporean man, significantly older than her. This marriage was officially recorded in Singapore. However, in 2012, Nguyen traveled back to Vietnam for medical treatment.

Second Relationship and Marriage

During her time in Vietnam, she developed a romantic relationship with a Vietnamese man, who is three years her senior. Aware that registering their marriage in Singapore was not an option because of her existing marital status, they still decided to proceed with a marriage registration in Vietnam on July 28, 2015, as Nguyen was already expecting a child with him.

Subsequently, she lived primarily in Vietnam, returning to Singapore only to renew her long-term visit pass. In 2016, she initiated divorce proceedings against her Singaporean husband, which was finalized on November 3, 2017. Her second marriage was dissolved in Vietnam on March 9, 2018.

Court Proceedings

Details regarding the discovery of her bigamous marriage by authorities remain unclear. The prosecution recommended a three-month imprisonment for Nguyen. Notably, she represented herself in court and expressed her emotional distress through an interpreter. Nguyen indicated that she is a single mother to a 10-year-old boy, highlighting her crucial role as the main caregiver in her family. She also mentioned the challenges her family faces, including her father’s partial paralysis and her elderly mother’s needs.

In her plea for leniency, she stated, “I’m the pillar of strength in the family, to take care of my family financially and emotionally. So I hope for leniency not only to take care of my son but to take care of my parents as well.”

The presiding judge decided to impose a lighter sentence than what the prosecution had requested. Bigamy in Singapore can lead to a punishment of up to seven years in prison and fines.

Conclusion

This case underscores the serious legal implications of bigamy and the emotional challenges faced by individuals entangled in complex relationship dynamics.