The assailant shall be charged in court docket on Nov 11 with the offence of voluntarily inflicting grievous damage by harmful weapon. The Straits Occasions/Asia Information Community
SINGAPORE — The 37-year-old Singaporean Sinhalese man who was arrested for stabbing a priest at a church in Bukit Timah on Nov 9 had completed so with a folding knife throughout communion, stated the police within the wee hours of Nov 10.
The police stated throughout a press convention held from about 12:40 am on the Jurong Police Division Headquarters {that a} complete of 5 weapons had been discovered within the assailant’s possession.
He shall be charged in court docket on Nov 11 with the offense of voluntarily inflicting grievous damage by harmful weapon, the police added.
If convicted, the offense, below Part 326 of Penal Code 1871, carries a punishment of life imprisonment, or imprisonment for a time period which can prolong to fifteen years. The offender shall even be liable to caning and/or a nice.
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Police will even be in search of a Court docket order to remand the person on the Institute of Psychological Well being for psychiatric analysis.
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A complete of 5 weapons had been discovered within the assailant’s possession. The Straits Occasions/Asia Information Community
The attacker had beforehand declared to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) that he’s a Christian.
There may be at the moment no proof to counsel that this can be a religiously-motivated assault, the police stated.
Police added that primarily based on the preliminary investigations, the person is believed to have acted alone and that they don’t suspect that that is an act of terrorism for now.
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The person who attacked 57-year-old Reverend Christopher Lee, has a historical past of offenses, together with for inflicting severe damage and for misusing medication.
He dedicated the act a while between 6:15 pm and 6:20 pm throughout communion, in response to an eye fixed witness. The service began at 5:30 pm.
The eyewitness stated the attacker had been seated among the many parishioners through the service. He stabbed the priest with what seemed to be a small knife after approaching the priest throughout communion. Youngsters had been current.
Police stated they acquired a name for help at about 6:30 pm. In addition they stated the perpetrator was disarmed by members of the congregation earlier than he was subsequently arrested by cops.
Father Lee was attended to by paramedics, and was acutely aware when taken to the Nationwide College Hospital. At about 11 pm, the church stated in a Fb publish that the priest is acutely aware and in secure situation, and urged parishioners to hope for him. The church additionally stated that plenty and occasions on the church will proceed as per regular on Sunday, Nov 10.
Reverend Christopher Lee was stabbed whereas he was conducting night mass. PHOTO: MYCATHOLIC.SG by way of The Straits Occasions/Asia Information Community
Throughout the press convention deputy commander of Jurong Police Division Bertran Chia additionally recommended two members of the general public for his or her bravery in disarming and detaining the assailant.
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The 2, Mr Richard Tan Chai Boon and Mr Damien Liew Khee Rui, got the Public Spiritedness Award for his or her bravery in disarming and detaining the person.
Talking through the press convention, which ended by 1:20 am, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police (DAC) Chia stated: “Singapore stays protected and the SPF (Singapore Police Power) is dedicated to maintain it that means with their assist of a vigilant and united neighborhood, as seen on this case.”
Mr Damien Liew Khee Rui (left) and Mr Richard Tan Chai Boon got the Public Spiritedness Award. The Straits Occasions/Asia Information Community
DAC Chia pressured that whereas preliminary investigations point out that the topic had acted alone, and that the police don’t suspect this to be an act of terrorism, the incident was a reminder that Singapore’s safety and security shouldn’t be taken as a right.
“The police commend the courageous actions of the individuals who acted rapidly to disarm and detain the topic. Their brave and selfless actions ensured no additional hurt may very well be prompted,” he stated.
“The Police urge the general public to stay calm and to not speculate in regards to the motivations behind the assault as investigations are ongoing. The police are dedicated to maintain Singapore, protected and safe.”
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.