Man who attacked Singaporean priests was previously convicted of stabbing his ex-girlfriend

SINGAPORE: The Singaporean Sinhalese man arrested for stabbing a priest at a church in Bukit Timah on Saturday (Nov 9) has been identified as Basnayake Keith Spencer.

Parishioners who spoke to The Straits Times said Basnayake, 37, had previously been seen at St Joseph’s Church in Upper Bukit Timah but was not a regular.

A video circulating online following the attack on 57-year-old Pastor Christopher Lee during evening congregation on November 9 showed a thin, bald man in a bloody white T-shirt being carried away from the church.

ST learned that the man in the video is Basnayake. In 2019, he was convicted of causing injury with a dangerous weapon and jailed; He pleaded guilty to stabbing his ex-girlfriend while she was on drugs at a party.

Before the morning service on November 10, at least three members of the church’s emergency task force were seen patrolling the church building. They checked the bags of some churchgoers.

At the service, the congregation was informed about Father Lee’s condition. The church said the priest’s surgery went well and he is resting.

The church also posted an update on Facebook stating that Father Lee was in stable condition and was being kept in the hospital so doctors could monitor him.

Police said at a press conference early November 10 that the attacker had a total of five weapons in his possession, including the folding knife used in the attack.

Police added that the person will appear in court on November 11 on charges of intentionally causing serious injury with a dangerous weapon.

In case of conviction of the crime, in accordance with Article 326 of the Criminal Code No. 1871, life imprisonment or imprisonment for a period that may extend to 15 years is provided. The offender will also be liable to cane and/or fine.

Police will also seek to obtain a court order to send the man to the Institute of Mental Health for psychiatric evaluation.

The attacker had previously declared to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) that he was a Christian.

Police said there is currently no evidence to suggest this was a religiously motivated attack. – Straits Times/ANN