Peh Thian Hui case
Peh Thian Hui case — simplified summary
Between 1996 and 2000, Peh Thian Hui, a married housing agent, repeatedly raped his lover’s nine-year-old daughter. The abuse occurred at the girl’s home, sometimes with the mother, who was Peh’s partner, abetting or even taking part on some occasions. The attacks stopped in December 2000. The victim, who turned 15 in November 2001, told police about the abuse, leading to the investigation of Peh and the girl’s mother.
On November 5, 2001, Peh and the mother were arrested. Peh faced about 62 charges, including 54 counts of rape and other sex offenses; the mother faced around 60 charges, mainly for abetting the rapes. In May 2002, both pleaded guilty to some of the charges.
In court, Judicial Commissioner Tay Yong Kwang sentenced Peh and the mother to 36 years in prison each. Peh also received the maximum 24 strokes of the cane. The mother did not receive caning because she was female. The sentences were backdated to November 8, 2001. The couple appealed, but the appeals were dismissed in September 2002, with the chief judge condemning the mother’s conduct as deeply harmful.
As of now, both remain in prison. They may be eligible for parole after two-thirds of their sentences—24 years—in November 2025, if they show good behavior.
The case caused national outrage and was widely covered by the media. It was later featured in a True Files episode. Mental health experts noted that child victims of sexual abuse often suffer lasting trauma and need support.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 02:21 (CET).