SINGAPORE: A French businessman, who is accused of
smothering his Vietnamese girlfriend, claimed in court on Friday
that she had tried to get her friends, and even her dog to attack
him.
Sylvain Christian Emile Pilhion, 38, is accused of
using criminal force on Ms Jocelyn Quynh-Anh Pohl, a recruitment
consultant, by grabbing her and tossing her on a
bed.
He also allegedly bit her left hand and tried to
smother her with a pillow on March 29.
However, Pilhion denied the alleged incidents in court Friday,
claiming that Pohl instructed her black labrador to attack him and
when that ruse failed, threatened to send her friends to kill
him.
Pilhion, who has a two-year-old daughter, said that Pohl and him
had a falling out earlier that day when he mentioned that he was
going to meet his wife to discuss their divorce.
He also told the court that Pohl was depressed and had mood swings
in the days prior to the incident.
He said their relationship deteriorated throughout the day, and
eventually ended up in a minor scuffle, which led to Ms Pohl
shutting herself in the toilet.
Pilhion said he followed her into the toilet, where he comforted
her, before carrying her off to bed.
He rebutted claims that he had instead, wrongfully restrained her
by grabbing her and tossing her onto the bed.
The tall and well-built man said that when he tried to hug her
later, she pushed him and went 'crazy' by throwing things at him
and hitting him in the chest and face.
Pilhion said that he pushed her away by "pressing a cushion to the
side of her face", and denied smothering her face with a
pillow.
Pilhion also responded to allegations that he had bit her hand,
claiming that Pohl had unexpectedly placed a fist in his mouth
during the skirmish, causing him to unintentionally bite it.
The court heard that Pohl eventually called the police, and Pilhion
was later remanded.
The trial will continue once new hearing dates have been
arranged.
- CNA /ls
