Singaporean charged with attempted murder in Brisbane

SINGAPORE — A Singaporean man who allegedly assaulted his ex-girlfriend in a residence in Brisbane, Australia, was charged with one count of attempted murder on Wednesday (May 10).

According to Australian Associated Press (AAP), he was not required to attend a scheduled appearance in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday, but has been remanded in custody, with a committal hearing set for June 5.

He has also not sought bail, AAP reported. 

The suspect, whom Australian media identified as Brian Tan Guan Wen, 31, allegedly used a hammer to hit a 20-year-old woman on her head at a residence in Norman Park at about 9.30pm (local time) on Monday.

He also used a knife to repeatedly stab the woman on the shoulder, Australian police said.

The Australian authorities have not named the suspect or the victim. Local media reports have identified the woman as Ms Sherry Cheung.

According to local media reports, the pair had met online, and the woman, a Hong Konger living in Queensland, was the assailant’s ex-girlfriend.

Tan was given a mental health assessment earlier on Wednesday before he was taken to the Brisbane Watch House to be formally charged.

Television crews from two television networks were filming at the crime scene at 2pm local time on Tuesday when they found the suspect sitting on a bed in a bloodstained room. The crews alerted the police, who rushed to the scene and apprehended Tan.

Ms Cheung suffered a fractured skull from a blow but is recovering from her injuries, according to media reports. 7News Brisbane quoted Ms Cheung’s friends as saying that they were perplexed by the case, as they had never met Tan.

Queensland Police inspector Steve Flori earlier told ABC News that the Singaporean arrived in Australia over the weekend.

“All the possessions he brought with him when he arrived two days ago have been left where the attack occurred,” Mr Flori had said. 

“We believe he has no access to funds whatsoever, so he may still be wearing boxer shorts and a white T-shirt with no shoes.”

Tan had booked the Norman Park home through Airbnb, and the attack occurred when Ms Cheung visited the house.

“Our investigations lead me to believe he has been here before, but we are not aware of any friends, associates or relatives other than the victim whom he knows in Brisbane,” said Mr Flori.

The suspect left his passport and wallet behind when he fled on foot. Although police dogs were unable to track him down, CCTV footage captured images showing his face.

(Above: Video footage from Australia's 7 News showing police arriving to apprehend a Singaporean for allegedly attempting to muder his ex-girlfriend.)