SINGAPORE: A man was charged on Monday (Jan 24) with murdering his 11-year-old son at a covered canal at Greenridge Crescent playground in Upper Bukit Timah.
Xavier Yap Jung Houn is accused of committing murder by causing the death of Yap E Chern Ethan at the covered canal at Greenridge Crescent playground between 4.23pm and 6.25pm on Jan 21, according to a charge sheet.
Yap, 48, was clad in a white collared shirt and blue mask and listened to proceedings with no expression from his place in remand.
The police prosecutor asked for Yap to be remanded for one week with permission to be taken out for investigations. He is required for scene visits and to recover exhibits, said the prosecutor.
Yap was represented by lawyer Anil Singh Sandhu, who asked the court if the media could give the family space to grieve the loss of two young children.
"Your honour, the media is present this morning in court and the victims here are two young children aged 11," he said.
"(In) the past few days, the media has been quite active in reporting this matter, but I'm sincerely urging the media to give the family some space and privacy to deal with the loss of two young children."
The judge asked Yap if he had any questions, and Yap said he had none. The case was adjourned to Jan 31 for further mention.
Yap had called the police for help on Friday evening. When police officers arrived at a playground at Greenridge Crescent, the two brothers were found lying motionless in the area. They were pronounced dead at the scene by a paramedic.
The case sparked a search in the forested area in Upper Bukit Timah near Toh Tuck Road. Residents reported heavy police presence, including the deployment of Gurkhas and the police's K-9 unit.
After the police followed up on all possible leads and conducted round-the-clock investigations, Yap was arrested, police said late Saturday night.
People were seen making offerings by a canal on Saturday afternoon, with some members of the public leaving bouquets and stalks of flowers there the following day.
The incident caused "shock and sadness" not just in residents but people throughout Singapore, said Ms Sim Ann, Member of Parliament for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC. She urged the public to refrain from speculation.
An inter-faith prayer session, attended by representatives from six religious organisations, was held along the canal on Sunday morning.
Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect the fact that, according to the documents released after the court hearing, the man has been charged with the murder of one of his sons.
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Xavier Yap Jung Houn is accused of committing murder by causing the death of Yap E Chern Ethan at the covered canal at Greenridge Crescent playground between 4.23pm and 6.25pm on Jan 21, according to a charge sheet.
Yap, 48, was clad in a white collared shirt and blue mask and listened to proceedings with no expression from his place in remand.
The police prosecutor asked for Yap to be remanded for one week with permission to be taken out for investigations. He is required for scene visits and to recover exhibits, said the prosecutor.
Yap was represented by lawyer Anil Singh Sandhu, who asked the court if the media could give the family space to grieve the loss of two young children.
"Your honour, the media is present this morning in court and the victims here are two young children aged 11," he said.
"(In) the past few days, the media has been quite active in reporting this matter, but I'm sincerely urging the media to give the family some space and privacy to deal with the loss of two young children."
The judge asked Yap if he had any questions, and Yap said he had none. The case was adjourned to Jan 31 for further mention.
Yap had called the police for help on Friday evening. When police officers arrived at a playground at Greenridge Crescent, the two brothers were found lying motionless in the area. They were pronounced dead at the scene by a paramedic.
The case sparked a search in the forested area in Upper Bukit Timah near Toh Tuck Road. Residents reported heavy police presence, including the deployment of Gurkhas and the police's K-9 unit.
After the police followed up on all possible leads and conducted round-the-clock investigations, Yap was arrested, police said late Saturday night.
People were seen making offerings by a canal on Saturday afternoon, with some members of the public leaving bouquets and stalks of flowers there the following day.
The incident caused "shock and sadness" not just in residents but people throughout Singapore, said Ms Sim Ann, Member of Parliament for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC. She urged the public to refrain from speculation.
An inter-faith prayer session, attended by representatives from six religious organisations, was held along the canal on Sunday morning.
Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect the fact that, according to the documents released after the court hearing, the man has been charged with the murder of one of his sons.
Continue reading...