Post by : Rohit Dhiman

A 38-year-old man who attacked a priest during communion at St Joseph’s Church in Singapore has been sentenced to four years and three months in jail and nine strokes of the cane. Basnayake Keith Spencer was sentenced on Friday after admitting to attacking Reverend Father Christopher Lee Kwong Heng during a children’s mass in November 2024. He also admitted to carrying several weapons in a public place without a lawful purpose. The case has attracted significant attention because the Singapore church attack happened during a crowded religious service attended by hundreds of people, including children.

Priest Attacked During Communion

The incident happened on Nov 9, 2024, at the church in Upper Bukit Timah. Around 900 people were attending the children’s mass. According to information presented in court, Spencer entered the church around the beginning of the service and sat among the congregation. Before communion, he reportedly took several tablets and remained inside the church. When communion began, he initially joined another queue before moving towards Father Lee. He eventually became the last person waiting to receive communion from the priest. At around 6.28pm, when he was standing close to Father Lee, Spencer suddenly took out a foldable knife and attacked the priest in the mouth. The incident became the focus of the St Joseph’s Church stabbing case.

Father Lee Suffered Serious Injuries

Father Lee, who was 59 at the time, suffered a wound inside his mouth along with cuts to his tongue and upper lip. He underwent surgery to treat his injuries and was discharged from hospital six days later. His recovery continued for an extended period, including further medical care and speech therapy. Court proceedings heard that he spent about 40 days on hospital leave. The attack also created fear and confusion inside the church because it occurred during a religious ceremony in front of a large gathering.

Other Weapons Found With the Accused

After the attack, Father Lee and several people at the church moved to restrain Spencer. An off-duty police officer and church volunteers also helped control the situation until the authorities arrived. Several other weapons were subsequently found on Spencer or in a bag he had brought with him. These included a butterfly knife, a penknife, a fishing gaff and a mallet. More tablets were also found inside the bag. The discovery of multiple weapons became an important factor in the Singapore crime case.

Court Calls Attack Unprovoked

During sentencing, the judge described the attack as unprovoked and particularly serious because Father Lee was carrying out a sacred religious ritual and was not expecting violence. The court also considered the fact that hundreds of people were present. According to the judgment, an incident involving a weapon in such a crowded environment could have triggered panic and potentially resulted in additional injuries. The prosecution argued that a strong sentence was necessary to deter similar offences and reinforce public safety.

Drug Use Discussed in Court

The court also heard arguments about Spencer’s condition at the time of the incident. Prosecutors said he had taken five nitrazepam tablets before the attack and that other controlled substances were detected in his urine. The defence argued that his intoxication should not be treated as an aggravating factor and said there was uncertainty about whether he understood that the drugs could cause a violent reaction. The defence also told the court that Spencer regretted his actions and was ashamed of what he had done. However, the judge found that the drug-induced psychosis was self-induced and noted concerns about previous violence-related behaviour while under the influence of drugs.

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Jail and Caning Sentence

The court ultimately sentenced Spencer to four years and three months in prison and nine strokes of the cane. He had remained in remand since November 2024 after being charged shortly after the incident. Bail had previously been denied because of concerns about public safety. The case has become a notable Singapore priest attack because it involved violence inside a crowded place of worship and raised questions about security and public safety during religious gatherings.

What Happened at St Joseph’s Church?

The incident occurred during a children’s mass, making the attack particularly alarming for those present. After Spencer attacked Father Lee, people at the church acted quickly to restrain him and contacted the police. The response helped prevent the situation from becoming even more serious. The sentencing now marks an important stage in the Singapore court case, with the punishment reflecting the court’s view of the seriousness of the attack, the use of weapons and the potential danger to members of the public. The case also serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining safety at crowded public and religious events, particularly when large numbers of people, including children, are present.

#world news #Global News #Singapore News #Global