Gangland-style violence erupts in squeaky clean S'pore

SINGAPORE - A youth involved in the Downtown East murder of a 19-year-old pleaded guilty to a reduced charge on Wednesday - the first of the 12 suspects involved in the case.

Full-time national serviceman Jason Chew Wei Beng, 21, admitted to one charge of rioting and another of voluntarily causing hurt, The Straits Times reported.

Chew was originally accused of murdering Darren Ng Wei Jie while being part of an unlawful assembly at the main foyer of Downtown East , Pasir Ris Close on October 30, 2010.

Investigations revealed that Ng, a secret society member, was in a dispute with Chew's accomplice Stillwell Ong Keat Pin, a 19--year-old gang member, and Dickson Ng Teck Seng, a member of another gang.

In the fight that broke out, Chew and 11 other members slashed and stabbed the deceased with knives, choppers and a screwdriver.

Chew's lawyer Tan Beng Swee said that a mitigating factor is that his client did not expect a fight to take place as his friends did not warn him about it.

The court heard that Chew was in a McDonald's with two other friends when the two groups began arguing outside the fast food chain.

Chew, with his other two friends, then went out to help their friends as he did not want to 'lose face'.

Mr Tan pointed out the Chew was not a secret soceity member and did not bring or buy choppers or knives, unlike the rest who went there for a fight.

He also added that none of the injuries inflicted on the deceased was by Chew's hand.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Peggy Pao said the charges were amended and reduced to reflect Chew's lesser involvement.

However, she noted that Chew still could have walked away and that he had been placed on probation previously.

Chew faces a jail term of up to seven years and caning for the charge of rioting, and a jail time of up to two years and a fine of up to $5,000 for causing hurt.

Sentencing has been postponed to March 6. The cases against the rest are pending.

Info : Crime