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Sembawang hostage case: Man charged with possession of knuckle-duster

SINGAPORE — The 39-year-old man who held a two-year-old boy hostage for 17 hours was charged on Friday (Sept 30) with the possession of a knuckle-duster. Police also said that he is still under investigation for wrongful confinement and drug-related offences.

Authorities escort a suspect in a hostage case on Sembawang Drive on Sept 27, 2016. Photo: Koh Mui Fong/TODAY

Authorities escort a suspect in a hostage case on Sembawang Drive on Sept 27, 2016. Photo: Koh Mui Fong/TODAY

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SINGAPORE — The 39-year-old man who held a two-year-old boy hostage for 17 hours was charged on Friday (Sept 30) with the possession of a knuckle-duster. Police also said that he is still under investigation for wrongful confinement and drug-related offences.

The accused, Muhammad Iskandah Suhaimi, will be remanded for two weeks at the Institute of Mental Health for psychological evaluation, and is expected to appear in court again on Oct 14.

Earlier this week, he was involved in a 17-hour standoff with the police, which started on Tuesday evening, after he locked himself and his girlfriend’s two-year-old son in a fifth-floor unit at Block 462 on Sembawang Drive.

The commotion in the neighbourhood of rental flats started when Iskandah had a dispute with the boy’s family members. Police said that they received a call asking for help at the block at around 6.45pm, and when officers arrived, the man refused to open the door.

At about noon the next day, the Crisis Negotiation Unit and Special Operations Command officers smashed through the window panes to rescue the toddler. They also cut the locked gate to arrest Iskandah.

If convicted of possessing a scheduled weapon as a first-time offender, Iskandah faces a jail term of up to five years and at least six strokes of the cane. As a repeat offender, he faces two to eight years’ jail and at least 6 strokes of the cane.

Under the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act, it is illegal to possess — without lawful authority or for a lawful purpose — an offensive weapon likely to cause hurt, such as knuckle-dusters (also known as brass knuckles), which are worn over the hand to increase the impact of a blow.

The punishment for wrongful confinement is up to one year in jail, a fine not exceeding S$3,000, or both.

The toddler held hostage has been placed in “safe care” temporarily, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Social and Family Development said previously. Dr Lim Wee Kiak, Member of Parliament in charge of the estate, said the boy is the youngest of four children, and his mother is a widow. The other three children are living with their grandmother in Woodlands. The child’s mother was arrested for drug-related offences.

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