Singaporean man charged with stabbing priest during evening mass

SINGAPORE: A 37-year-old Singaporean man who allegedly stabbed a priest at St Joseph's Church in Bukit Timah was charged at the State Courts on Monday for voluntarily causing grievous hurt with a dangerous weapon.

Basnayake Keith Spencer, who appeared in court via video link, was unrepresented, according to The Straits Times (ST).

The prosecution applied for him to be remanded at the Changi Prison Complex Medical Centre for three weeks to undergo medical examination. The judge set Dec 2 for further mention of the case.

If convicted, Spencer may face life imprisonment or a jail term of up to 15 years, caning, and/or a fine.

The victim, Christopher Lee, 57, a parish priest at the church, was stabbed in the mouth, suffering an 8 cm laceration on his tongue, a 3 cm cut on his upper left lip, and a 4 cm cut on the corner of his mouth, according to ST, citing court documents.

In the incident on Saturday (Nov 9), Lee was attacked by a knife-wielding man while celebrating the 5.30 pm mass.

According to police, the accused, who has a history of serious injury and drug-related offences, was disarmed by two members of the congregation and subsequently arrested by officers.

He is believed to have acted alone, and there is currently no evidence to suggest that the attack was religiously motivated or an act of terrorism, the Home Affairs Ministry said earlier.

-- BERNAMA

Read the latest news here