Public Prosecutor v Chan Soi Peng: Culpable Homicide Sentencing After 10 Years at Large

In Public Prosecutor v Chan Soi Peng, Chan Soi Peng was charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder for the death of Tiew Yit Heng. The High Court of Singapore, presided over by Justice Woo Bih Li, accepted Chan's guilty plea, considering the circumstances of the stabbing, including the deceased's provocation and Chan's subsequent surrender after ten years at large. Chan was sentenced to imprisonment for a term of three years and nine months.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Accused sentenced to imprisonment for a term of three years and nine months.

1.3 Case Type

Criminal

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Chan Soi Peng pleaded guilty to culpable homicide for stabbing Tiew Yit Heng. The court considered provocation and sentenced Chan to 3 years, 9 months imprisonment.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Public ProsecutorProsecutionGovernment AgencyPartialPartial
Francis Ng of Deputy Public Prosecutors
Jean Kua of Deputy Public Prosecutors
Chan Soi PengDefendantIndividualLostLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Woo Bih LiJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Francis NgDeputy Public Prosecutors
Jean KuaDeputy Public Prosecutors
Francis OwArchilex Law Corporation

4. Facts

  1. Chan Soi Peng stabbed Tiew Yit Heng in the chest with a knife at Block 78 Yong Siak Street.
  2. The incident occurred on December 20, 1996, between 8.50pm and 9.38pm.
  3. Tiew Yit Heng pushed Chan's head twice and told him he was 'stuck up' and 'arrogant'.
  4. Tiew Yit Heng struck Chan in the face with a bottle of liniment.
  5. Chan retaliated with his fists, and a fight ensued between Chan and Tiew.
  6. Chan walked to the kitchen, returned with a fruit knife, and thrust it at Tiew.
  7. Chan disposed of the knife and fled Singapore for Malaysia.
  8. Chan surrendered to the Royal Malaysian Police after ten years.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Public Prosecutor v Chan Soi Peng, CC 27/2007, [2007] SGHC 184
  2. Public Prosecutor v Katun Bee Binte S Ibrahim, , [2004] SGHC 46
  3. PP v Lim Boon Seng, , [2004] SGHC 113
  4. PP v Lim Ah Seng, , [2006] SGHC 122

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Tiew Yit Heng was stabbed in the chest with a knife.
Police received a '999' call reporting a fight and injury at Block 78 Yong Siak Street.
Lisa Wee Eng Cheng pronounced Tiew Yit Heng dead at the scene.
Dr. Teo Eng Swee conducted an external examination of the deceased.
Chan Soi Peng surrendered himself to the Royal Malaysian Police.
Chan Soi Peng was extradited to Singapore from Malaysia.
Chan Soi Peng was charged with the murder of the deceased.
Dr Kenneth GWW Koh issued a psychiatric report.
Judgment was delivered.

7. Legal Issues

  1. Appropriate Sentence for Culpable Homicide
    • Outcome: The court sentenced the accused to imprisonment for three years and nine months, considering the provocation, the accused's surrender after ten years, and other mitigating factors.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Provocation
      • Mitigating Factors
      • Aggravating Factors
      • Delay in Apprehension
    • Related Cases:
      • [2004] SGHC 46
      • [2004] SGHC 113
      • [2006] SGHC 122

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Imprisonment
  2. Fine

9. Cause of Actions

  • Culpable Homicide

10. Practice Areas

  • Criminal Litigation

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Public Prosecutor v Katun Bee Binte S IbrahimHigh CourtYes[2004] SGHC 46SingaporeCited to show a case where the accused was charged under section 304(b) and the court exercised compassion due to the accused's difficult life and frustrations.
PP v Lim Boon SengHigh CourtYes[2004] SGHC 113SingaporeCited as a precedent where the accused was not the aggressor and the court considered the conduct of the accused after the stabbing.
PP v Lim Ah SengHigh CourtYes[2006] SGHC 122SingaporeCited to show a case with a particular combination of extenuating circumstances, including a history of abuse by the deceased.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Section 304(b) Penal CodeSingapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Culpable Homicide
  • Provocation
  • Sentencing
  • Mitigating Factors
  • Aggravating Factors
  • Surrender
  • Fleeing the Scene

15.2 Keywords

  • Culpable Homicide
  • Sentencing
  • Provocation
  • Singapore
  • Criminal Law

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Sentencing95
Criminal Law90
Criminal Procedure85

16. Subjects

  • Criminal Law
  • Sentencing