NSF who fatally stabbed a woman in Woodlands sentenced to life in jail
A full-time national serviceman, who previously faced the death penalty, has been sentenced to life in jail by the High Court on Thursday afternoon for stabbing four different women — one of them fatally.
Soh Wee Kian, 23, had pleaded guilty to one count of culpable homicide not amounting to murder on Tuesday for fatally stabbing mother-of-two Hoe Hong Lin, 32, at Mandai Tekong Park on 22 September 2010. He also pleaded guilty to causing grievous hurt with a weapon — this was for stabbing How Poh Ling, 28, several times in Sembawang on 26 May 2010.
Soh was sentenced to life imprisonment on both counts — the sentences are to run concurrently.
Two other charges were taken into consideration during the sentencing — they were for slashing Ooi Li Li and Lam Hui Lin between January and May 2010.
Said Justice Choo Han Teck, as he read out the sentence to an emotionless Soh, “Given the circumstances and the facts of the case, for the sake of the public and your own good, a lengthy period of imprisonment is most appropriate.”
The court had heard from Mr Thangavelu, Soh’s lawyer, that he was suffering from adjustment disorder, and was feeling depressed, when he committed the crimes. He then went on to tell the court that Soh was highly remorseful, regrets what he has done and has offered his sincere apologies to Hoe’s family, as well as to the three other victims and their families.
During the hearing, prosecutors asked for a life sentence for Soh, which his lawyers did not object to. Soh’s defence lawyers also asked the court not to impose caning.
Fantasies
On Tuesday, the court heard that Soh would hang around HDB blocks, with a glove and knife in his pockets. He would pick out women with long hair and short skirts and follow them. At the same time, he would fantasise about stabbing them in the back and outraging their modesty.
According to earlier reports, Hoe had just celebrated Mid-Autumn Festival with her family and was walking home after sending her nephews off when Soh came up behind her, covered her mouth to stop her from screaming, and stabbed her in the lower back with a knife.
Even after she had fallen to the ground, he continued stabbing her.
The court also heard that Soh thought of molesting Hoe as she was lying on the ground, but could not do so because she was grabbing both his hands.
It was then that Soh decided to make his getaway.
Soh was later arrested on 14 October 2010 while serving detention for going absent without official leave from National Service.
After his sentencing, Soh's family was given a few minutes to speak with him.
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