Man, 32, charged with murdering 73-year-old in Telok Blangah

A 32-year-old man was on Wednesday (Oct 7) charged with the murder of a 73-year-old man at a void deck in Telok Blangah.

Gabriel Foong Shi Cheng, a Singaporean, was charged with one count of murder for causing the death of Tham Nam Poh at around 6pm on Monday.

He allegedly committed the murder at the void deck of Block 57, Telok Blangah Heights.

Officers responding to the incident then found a 73-year-old Chinese man lying motionless on the ground floor, while a 53-year-old Chinese man was also found injured.

On Wednesday, Foong appeared in court via video-link from his place of remand, dressed in cuffs and a white polo shirt, CNA reported.

The prosecution requested that Foong be remanded for three weeks at Complex Medical Centre in Changi Prison, and to be evaluated by the Institute of Mental Health.

This is to assess if he was suffering from any abnormality of mind that substantially impaired his mental responsibility for any acts or omissions related to the alleged offence, according to CNA.

The judge reportedly granted the request. His next court hearing is scheduled for Oct 28.

1 dead, 1 injured

The police earlier said that they responded to calls for assistance near Block 61, Telok Blangah Heights at about 6pm on Monday.

A 73-year-old man was found motionless on the ground floor of the block, where a 53-year-old man was also injured.

Both men were taken to the hospital where the elder man later died.

Foong subsequently called the police to surrender and was arrested in the vicinity of the scene.

He is believed to have acted alone, the police said.

"There is currently no evidence to suggest that it is a religiously motivated attack or an act of terror," they added then.

The offence of murder carries the death penalty. 

Police investigations are ongoing. 

[[nid:746964]]

laili.abdeen@asiaone.com