Dad locks out kids, burns their belongings

A father burned a suitcase filled with his children's belongings after locking them out of their flat in Jurong West late Wednesday evening.

The man's daughter, 13, told The New Paper that her father had padlocked their flat after she and her 8-year-old brother went out of the house at 4pm to meet a friend.

According to the girl, it was not the first time that they were locked out.

The siblings then waited the next six hours out at a neighbour's house before going to get help.

They called their 15-year-old friend living at the block next to theirs at 10:15pm.

The friend proceeded to call her father up, and he managed to convince the two children to return home, assuring them that he would help out.

While on the way home, the four of them bumped into the siblings' father at the playground. He was beside a suitcase of toys and clothes in flames.

The man’s daughter pulled her friend back, saying that she was afraid of her father.

The friend's father approached the other man to talk, but after some discussion the latter shouted, "Who are you to ask me all this?"

The former then called the police, saying, "I called the police because it was the first thing that came to my mind was to protect the children, especially since he was acting in a threatening manner."

Police arrested the 50-year-old at 11:45pm after receiving a call for assistance.

The father is believed to be still police custody, while the paper reported that the children are now staying with their grandmother in the same Jurong West flat.

An MCYS spokesman said the ministry will be working with the relevant authorities to ensure the children's welfare.