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SINGAPORE: The first of the group involved in the Downtown East murder has pleaded guilty.
21—year—old Jason Chew Wei Beng admitted to three charges on Wednesday.
Prosecution is proceeding on two of the three charges — rioting and voluntarily causing hurt.
Chew admitted to causing grievous hurt to 19—year—old Darren Ng Wei Jie on 30 October 2010, between 5.30pm and 5.57pm, at the foyer of Downtown East.
He did so with 11 members of an unlawful assembly, by slashing and stabbing the deceased with knives, choppers and a screwdriver.
In mitigation, defence counsel Tan Beng Swee told the court that his client did not expect a fight to take place at Downtown East as his friends did not warn him about it.
Mr Tan said Chew subsequently met his other friends and for fear of getting implicated, he kept a distance from the group as he walked behind them.
The defence lawyer added that Chew then went to McDonald’s with two of his friends and were taunted by the girlfriends of his buddies.
At that time, two groups were said to be arguing outside the fast food chain.
Trying not to lose face, the trio at McDonald’s went out to help their friends.
Unfortunately for Chew, Mr Tan said the fight broke out just as he went to join his group of friends.
Mr Tan also stressed that Chew is not a secret society member.
He pointed out that Chew, unlike his other friends who were in for a fight, did not bring or buy choppers or knives.
Wrapping up, Mr Tan said none of the injuries inflicted on the deceased was due to Chew.
In response, Deputy Public Prosecutor Peggy Pao said the charges were amended and reduced to reflect the lesser culpability of Chew’s involvement.
While Chew tried to distant himself from the group, he remained.
DPP Pao said he could have walked away when taunted, instead of giving in, but he did not and the act of joining the fight shows that he lacked morals.
She added that Chew cannot claim the glory of being in a fight, yet hope that later on he would not have to face the consequences.
Prosecution added that Chew had been placed on probation previously but still went ahead to take part in the fight.
For rioting, Chew faces a jail term of up to seven years and shall be liable to caning.
He admitted that he punched the head of 20—year—old Yeo Jun Liang on 6 April 2010 at about 6.10pm at Bishan bus interchange, together with three friends.
For this charge, Chew faces a maximum jail term of two years, or with fine of up to S$5,000, or both.
Sentencing will take place on the 6 March.
— CNA/ck
21—year—old Jason Chew Wei Beng admitted to three charges on Wednesday.
Prosecution is proceeding on two of the three charges — rioting and voluntarily causing hurt.
Chew admitted to causing grievous hurt to 19—year—old Darren Ng Wei Jie on 30 October 2010, between 5.30pm and 5.57pm, at the foyer of Downtown East.
He did so with 11 members of an unlawful assembly, by slashing and stabbing the deceased with knives, choppers and a screwdriver.
In mitigation, defence counsel Tan Beng Swee told the court that his client did not expect a fight to take place at Downtown East as his friends did not warn him about it.
Mr Tan said Chew subsequently met his other friends and for fear of getting implicated, he kept a distance from the group as he walked behind them.
The defence lawyer added that Chew then went to McDonald’s with two of his friends and were taunted by the girlfriends of his buddies.
At that time, two groups were said to be arguing outside the fast food chain.
Trying not to lose face, the trio at McDonald’s went out to help their friends.
Unfortunately for Chew, Mr Tan said the fight broke out just as he went to join his group of friends.
Mr Tan also stressed that Chew is not a secret society member.
He pointed out that Chew, unlike his other friends who were in for a fight, did not bring or buy choppers or knives.
Wrapping up, Mr Tan said none of the injuries inflicted on the deceased was due to Chew.
In response, Deputy Public Prosecutor Peggy Pao said the charges were amended and reduced to reflect the lesser culpability of Chew’s involvement.
While Chew tried to distant himself from the group, he remained.
DPP Pao said he could have walked away when taunted, instead of giving in, but he did not and the act of joining the fight shows that he lacked morals.
She added that Chew cannot claim the glory of being in a fight, yet hope that later on he would not have to face the consequences.
Prosecution added that Chew had been placed on probation previously but still went ahead to take part in the fight.
For rioting, Chew faces a jail term of up to seven years and shall be liable to caning.
He admitted that he punched the head of 20—year—old Yeo Jun Liang on 6 April 2010 at about 6.10pm at Bishan bus interchange, together with three friends.
For this charge, Chew faces a maximum jail term of two years, or with fine of up to S$5,000, or both.
Sentencing will take place on the 6 March.
— CNA/ck
