On Tuesday, a woman in Singapore was sentenced to jail time for throwing her then-boyfriend's possessions, including a TV and a speaker, from the 50th-story balcony of their shared condo. The incident came a week after he revealed that he had been unfaithful to her while on trips to Indonesia. Needless to say, the dangerous and destructive act runs counter to the recommendations of experts, who advise against seeking revenge—even when confronted with a cheating partner.
Maria Isabel Lluen Saenz, a 49-year-old Peruvian national, had been with her unnamed boyfriend for two years, reported Singapore-based news outlet TODAY. The couple had reportedly moved into their condo eight months prior to the incident, which occurred on February 28 of last year.
A week before, he had confessed to cheating on her while on trips to Batam, Indonesia. He reportedly tried to repair their relationship by promising to be tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). He also told Saenz that he wanted them to get married. She, however, was not so quick to forgive.
On February 28, the couple reportedly went to a movie and out to dinner—and it was then that Saenz asked for more information about the woman he'd cheated with. The two began to argue and, having eventually made it back home, she accused him of lying. She said that she wanted to end their relationship and told him to leave.
From there, things apparently took a dark turn. "He objected to her demands and that's when Maria raised her voice," said Saenz's lawyer Anil Singh Sandhu, per TODAY. "It's very unfortunate that [he] lost his temper and assaulted her. He punched her on the facial region...That's when she started moving his things to the balcony and a struggle ensued."
After the assault, Saenz began throwing his TV, soundbar, and speaker over the edge of their 50th-floor condo.
In court, Deputy Public Prosecutor Andre Ong argued that Saenz's actions resulted in a "high degree of danger to human life" and that the fact no one was hurt or killed was "merely fortuitous."
Saenz was sentenced to seven weeks of jail time for her part in the conflict—but it remains unclear if her partner faces any similar repercussions for assaulting her.
The most surprising part of the unusual case, however, might be what happened to their relationship following the incident. Not only did Saenz and her boyfriend stay together—the pair have since gotten married.
The now-husband "has changed for the better but his conduct was very much left to be desired," said Sandhu to the court, adding that they are in a "much better place now."
It stands to reason, however, that for the majority of relationships, a conflict like theirs would result in a breakup. According to a psychiatrist-reviewed report published by Verywell Mind, "[seeking] revenge" against a cheating spouse is unlikely to solve any issues.
Explained the publication: "You may get a temporary sense of satisfaction from these sorts of actions, but ultimately they can work against you, keeping you in a state of anger instead of focusing on healing and moving on, alone or together."
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.
