Children ‘truly devastated’ after Singaporean mum allegedly killed by dad at hotel in England

SINGAPORE — The family members of a Singaporean woman who was allegedly murdered by her husband at a hotel in Newcastle, England said that they were shocked and “truly devastated” by the incident.

In a joint family statement shared by the Northumbria Police on its Facebook page on Thursday (Dec 9), the woman’s three sons said that they were “supposed to meet up for a family holiday”.

“The whole situation is a huge shock to us,” they said.

“This is an incredibly difficult time for us, so we ask that our privacy (be) respected while we grieve.” 

The woman, identified as 51-year-old Pek Ying Ling, was found by emergency services on Monday. She was not breathing at the time.

The police said then that they had received “a report of concern” for a woman at the address of a hotel on Westgate Road.

“An investigation was swiftly launched, and we arrested her husband, Soong Hert Fong, on suspicion of murder,” Northumbria Police said.

The 50-year-old man was charged with murder overnight on Monday and will be remanded in custody until his next court appearance on Jan 11.

Newcastle news outlet Chronicle Live reported that Soong made his first appearance at the Newcastle Crown Court on Thursday, where he was to be charged with murdering his wife.

Appearing via video-link from prison, Chronicle Live reported that a charge was not put to Soong.

He will be back in court in January and a trial date has been fixed for June next year.

Judge Paul Sloan QC said in the news report: "I'm adjourning your case to what's called a plea and trial preparation hearing, which will be listed on Jan 11 next year.

"I have identified a trial date and if it has to proceed to trial it will commence on June 6 next year.”

The judge said to Soong: "You should understand, if you are fit to plead and if you have committed any offence arising out of this allegation, the sooner that's communicated to the court, the better for you, the more credit you will receive, the less severe the punishment will be.”

Northumbria Police on Thursday described Pek as a “much-loved mother who was visiting Newcastle from Singapore”.

They added that that the couple’s three sons, whose ages were not given, are being supported by the police's “specially trained family liaison officers as they attempt to come to terms with their loss”.

The police department said that they will continue to support Pek’s “loved ones in every way we can”.

“The family have asked for their privacy to be respected so they can grieve this most tragic loss, and we ask that their wish (be) respected.

The police also asked people to avoid speculating about the case, which could have an impact on the ongoing court proceedings.