Last Downtown East attacker gets 39 months’ jail, 3 strokes of cane

SINGAPORE: The last of the 12 youths involved in a gang clash in 2010 at Downtown East that left a polytechnic student dead was sentenced to three years and three months’ jail, as well as three strokes of the cane.

Twenty—year—old Ng Wei Lun was convicted of rioting on Monday.

In the clash, 19—year—old Darren Ng Wei Jie died after he was slashed and stabbed with knives, choppers and a screwdriver by a group of more than 10 youths.

Court documents showed that Ng had not hurt the polytechnic student and had used his arm to deflect a blow from the baton used by the victim.

Five youths were sentenced earlier this month after they pleaded guilty to culpable homicide, while six others were jailed and caned for rioting.

The heaviest sentence was meted out to 20—year—old Stilwell Ong Keat Pin, who was believed to have been the main culprit.

Prosecutors argued that he had gathered the accused and other accomplices to Downtown East for the confrontation.

He received 12 years’ jail and 12 strokes of the cane.

Defence Counsel Josephus Tan argued for reformative training, citing the reason that Ng was young and could be fully rehabilitated.

District Judge Liew Thiam Leng decided to impose a stiff sentence — on the premise that the offence was committed in full view of a crowd on a Saturday evening on 30 October 2010, and that the brutal attack generated concern and alarm among the public.

— CNA/ck