Sheng Siong kidnap suspect found fit to stand trial

Sheng Siong kidnap suspect found fit to stand trial

SINGAPORE - The two men allegedly involved in the Sheng Siong kidnap case appeared in a district court on Friday via video link.

They had been remanded in Changi Prison for psychiatric assessment.

The police prosecutor said the psychiatric evaluation of credit card promoter Heng Chen Boon, 50, had been completed and he was found to be fit to stand trial.

He will be represented by Mr Philip Fong who was hired by family members early this week.

A pre-trial conference will be held in the High Court on March 25 and Heng's case will be mentioned again on April 1.

However, in the case of odd-job worker Lee Sze Yong, 41, the court heard that the psychiatrist required another week to complete the evaluation.

District Judge Kessler Soh granted the request and ordered for the case to be mentioned again next Friday. Lee has no lawyer yet. Both men were not offered bail.

Lee allegedly abducted Madam Ng Lye Poh, 79, the mother of Sheng Siong supermarket boss Lim Hock Chee, along Hougang Avenue 2 on the morning of Jan 8, with the intent of holding her for ransom.

Heng is said to have helped Lee confine Madam Ng in a vehicle near Sembawang Park between 8.30pm and midnight that day.

She was freed unhurt after her son dropped off a $2 million ransom at the park.

The duo were nabbed at about 1am the next day. The full ransom sum has been recovered.

If convicted of kidnapping, the two men could be hanged or jailed for life. If Lee is not sentenced to death, he is liable to be caned as well.


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