ODD-JOB worker Tharema Vejayan Govindasamy started hitting his girlfriend while they were dating. But she still married him in March 2002.

Five years later, the bloodied body of factory worker Smaelmeeral Abdul Aziz was found at the foot of an HDB block in Stirling Road. Now, Tharema is on trial for her murder

Victim's sister Madam Hamelah Abdul Aziz, 42, told the Hight Court that she had advised her younger sister against the marriage as he would abuse her more once they were married. Indeed, her sister frequently complained that Tharema assaulted her.

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