SINGAPORE: A married father of three admitted on Thursday ( Jan 23 ) to the attempted murder of his former lover’s new boyfriend.
Ong Eng Siew, then 63, attacked Mr Ku Teck Eng with a blade at the space board of Block 407, Choa Chu Kang Avenue 3, which was the residence of Ong’s original partner.
This happened at around 9. 30pm on Jun 12, 2021.
Mr Ku, next 52, was stabbed in the chest, causing a gash on the left atrium of his brain that would have been dangerous if not for emergency care.
Ong pleaded guilty to one fee of attempted murder.
Three costs – two for hurting his 42-year-old former boyfriend around Jun 1, 2021 and one for obstructing justice by throwing away the weapon – may be considered for punishment.
Ong had been in a marriage with his partner since November 2019, according to Deputy Public Prosecutors Terence Chua and Kathy Chu.
She learnt that he was married in September 2020. When she confronted Ong, he lied that he was separated and would be ending his wedding.
Ong, a vehicle, started drinking exceptionally and gambling in January 2021, and may spend most of his income on animal betting.
He and his partner quarrelled often as she was angry about his attitude and the fact that he had stopped working.
She said she did not want to continue their marriage if he continued living this way.
On Apr 25, 2021, the girl ended the relationship as Ong continued to bargain, rarely met up with her, and forgot her day the day before.
HARASSED AND ASSAULTED HIS FORMER LOVER
After breaking up, the person started dating Mr Ku. But, Ong continued to nag her with text messages and names, and even looked for her on a few times.
At one appointment he requested on May 28, 2021, he shouted at her in Mandarin:” Would you believe that I can cure you never as a girl and beat you, take a knife and kill you? Do not push me to do it. “
He then laughed it off as a prank and accompanied her home in a car.
On another occasion, even at his request, they met after nightfall on Jun 1, 2021, and talked while sitting in his truck parked near her home.
Ong said to inform him if she had a fresh boyfriend and he would let her go. When told that she was in a new marriage, Ong became really upset and they argued. He said:” Which block is the highest around? I want to perish with you. I want to drive you over and therefore I will climb. “
The person tried to leave the bus, but Ong locked the door. She managed to access it and get out, but he pulled her back and slammed her nose against the vehicle.
Ong finally pushed her into the passenger seats and started driving around the area.
Ong asked her to call her partner. When she tried to call the police otherwise, Ong snatched her smartphone, punched her and pulled her hair.
When Ong finally stopped the vehicle, the woman was able to leave from the vehicle and vomited.
She was frightened of Ong and made a police record against him after consulting her godbrother. Her godbrother even called Ong to chastise him for his behavior.
On Jun 5, 2021, a week before the attempted death, Ong sent his former lover a picture of a weapon.
He texted her that he would take this weapon with him, that he did then know who she had asked to “deal with” him, and that” the first person I want to attack” was her godbrother.
Ong also said he would wait for her until he died, that he would” seize up” what had been stolen from him, that she and her partner would not be happy and that she would regret her actions.
When she blocked him on WhatsApp, he sent her letters saying he had let her go and never bother her. The girl was assured by this and activated him.
But, the cycle repeated and Ong continued to harangue her. He scolded her for reporting him to the officers, and said he was prepared to go to jail for two to three years.
STABBED AND SLASHED HER BOYFRIEND
On Jun 12, 2021, Ong drank vodka from noon to 8pm. He went to the hole deck of his previous partner’s apartment at about 8. 30pm.
He brought along a 12cm weapon, which he had placed in a plastic case with some bottles of beer. He sat and waited at the hole board.
At about 9. 25pm, the girl and Mr Ku arrived and saw Ong. She told Mr Ku that Ong was her ex-boyfriend.
Ong approached Mr Ku and asked if he was the woman’s sweetheart, to which Mr Ku said yes.
Ong then asked how long they had known each other, and whether Mr Ku knew that she was” (his ) woman”.
Mr Ku said he had known the person for two decades, and that they had just got up after Ong and the girl had broken up.
Ong then went to his plastic case and asked Mr Ku if he wanted to drink beverage. Mr Ku declined.
Ong took his knife from the case and approached Mr Ku while holding the weapon behind his back. The girl saw this and warned her partner to be cautious.
Ong therefore shouted that the pair had lied and punched Mr Ku’s chest, saying:” I will make sure you die. “
He slashed Mr Ku on the rear of his head and a fight ensued.
Mr Ku backed aside, tripped over a slope and fell onto a turf piece. Ong punched his chest many times.
Ong next stabbed the left side of Mr Ku’s neck, and blood spurted out. He even slashed Mr Ku’s chest.
When the girl ran around and pulled Ong’s top to prevent him, he pushed her, causing her to fall into a discharge, and punched her head.
Mr Ku managed to escape to a local delivery store. People in the next stop shouted at Ong and called the police, and he fled.
Ong left the girl voice messages asking her and Mr Ku never to call the police, saying that it was her sin, and saying that Mr Ku may settle the matter with him “if he is a person”.
The police arrested Ong near his home and took around an hour to locate the knife, which he had thrown away in a drain.
Mr Ku was taken to the hospital in an unstable condition, and received emergency surgery. He was admitted to the intensive care unit.
He underwent another surgery two days later and was hospitalised for nine days.
According to the Health Sciences Authority, Mr Ku’s chest stab wound could have been fatal because of blood building up in the sac around the heart.
The stab wound at Mr Ku’s stomach also caused part of his bowel to protrude out and tears on the bowel that could have led to infection and possibly death.
Ong admitted to the offences and was convicted. However, he disputes the role that his mental state played in the commission of the acts, which is relevant for his sentencing.
Ong was diagnosed with adjustment disorder due to his break-up and social problems around the time of the offences.
However, a psychiatrist from the Institute of Mental Health found that there was no contributory link to the offences, according to the prosecution.
The prosecution’s position is that Ong’s actions were driven by jealousy, anger and a lack of inhibition caused by alcohol consumption.
Ong’s defence team, comprising lawyers Mr Eugene Thuraisingam and Mr Ng Yuan Siang, take the position that his adjustment disorder was a major contributing factor to the offences.
The defence’s psychiatrist said stressors in Ong’s life at the time included the death of his brother in April 2021, the end of his relationship with his lover, and financial difficulties from his employer not paying his salary.
An ancillary hearing was held on Thursday for the prosecution’s and defence’s psychiatrists to provide evidence on Ong’s mental condition.
For attempted murder, Ong could be jailed for life, or for up to 20 years with a fine. He cannot be caned as he is over 50.