Orchard Towers murder case: New rioting charge for suspect who jumped bail

SINGAPORE — A suspect in the Orchard Towers murder case who jumped bail a month ago was hauled back to court on Friday (Sept 27) following his arrest on Thursday.

Tan Hong Sheng, 22, was among three of the accused who had their murder charges reduced to consorting with a person carrying an offensive weapon in a public place.

The three men were released on bail of S$15,000, but on Aug 29, Tan failed to attend his hearing in a district court and remained uncontactable. His mother reported the matter to the police and a warrant of arrest was issued against him. 

The trio are accused of consorting with Tan Sen Yang, 28, who is said to have had a foldable Kerambit knife at about 5.45am on July 2 at Naughty Girl Club in Orchard Towers.

On Friday, Tan was handed another charge — this time for rioting, which carries a maximum punishment of seven years’ jail and caning.

Court documents showed that along with four others, he allegedly punched and kicked 30-year-old Neo Zhao Fu outside Club Secret, along Magazine Road in Clarke Quay, on Aug 9 at about 3.30am.

Video footage of the incident was posted online, showing a group of at least 20 youths fighting with each other in a car park.

District Judge Terence Tay ordered him to be remanded in Central Police Division for one week. He will return to court on Oct 4.

The other two men involved in the Orchard Towers murder whose charges were reduced are Loo Boon Chong, 25, and Chan Jia Xing, 26. They remain out on bail and will return to court on Oct 10.

Tan, Loo and Chan’s charge under the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act carries a maximum jail term of three years and at least six strokes of the cane.

The other four accused persons still face a charge that carries the death penalty — committing murder with common intention.

They are Natalie Siow Yu Zhen, 22, Joel Tan Yun Sheng, 26, Ang Da Yuan, 26, and Tan Sen Yang. They could not be offered bail due to the nature of the charge.

Court documents show that the alleged murder happened at about 6.30am on July 2.

The victim, 31-year-old Satheesh Noel Gobidass, was found lying motionless in a pool of blood at the entrance of Orchard Towers following a fight in the building. He was taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

All seven individuals were first charged on July 4.