Accused texted son after alleged murder
A MAN from Singapore accused of murdering his wife in a Newcastle city centre hotel called his son and said he had “accidentally killed” her, a jury has heard.
Soong Hert Fong, 51, of Marine Vitsa, Singapore is accused of murdering his wife of 27 years, Pek Ying Ling, 51, at the County Aparthotel, in Westgate Road, Newcastle, on December 6. Fong denies the charge and is currently standing trial at Newcastle Crown Court.
Yesterday, the jury heard evidence from one of the couple’s sons, as well as the agreed facts in the case. The son, who was studying in Newcastle at the time of the alleged murder, told the jury that the family was a close, tight-knit unit and was loving, but that his mother was worrisome and could sometimes scold his father and tell him off.
The jury was told that, in the days leading up to the alleged murder, Soong Fong, known as Alan, was on holiday in the UK with his wife, known as Evelyn, and had begun a tour of the Scottish Highlands in November, last year.
Between November 27 and 28, the couple were staying at a Portree hotel on the Isle of Skye when Fong was involved in a fall down a “vertical drop” of around “50ft to 60ft” as he took photographs of the surroundings. The serious fall left him injured and he was rushed to hospital.
Days later, after being discharged from hospital in Inverness, the couple checked into the County Aparthotel, in Westgate Road, Newcastle, on December 3 while visiting their son, who was a student living in the city.
The jury heard that, on December 5, Pek Ying Ling sent a message to her son, saying “your dad is not feeling well and had another fall”. A later text said Fong was having trouble walking and that his leg was “numb”. Pek Ying Ling also reported to the hotel reception saying Fong had had a fall and had “collapsed”.
When checks were made, Pek Ying Ling was seen to have bruises on her arm as well as a cut. She said Fong had fallen on her as he collapsed, the jury heard.
Fong was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary but was discharged and returned to the hotel on December 6.
During agreed facts which were read to the jury, prosecutor Peter Makepeace QC said messages were exchanged between Pek Ying Ling and her son, where she “indicated she was warming up sandwiches” and was preparing to get Fong to bed. The son told his mother not to “scold” his dad in a message and to take care of him. But at around 7am on December 6, the son received a call from Fong, who said he had accidentally killed his mother, Mr Makepeace QC said.
After calling the police, the son then sent a message to his girlfriend saying: “OMFG, my dad just called me and told me he accidentally killed my mum.” Further messages were also received where Fong told his son “I want to die” and “I love your mum”.
Police then arrived at the hotel shortly before 7.30am where Pek Ying Ling was found “at the foot of the bed with a pillow over her face”.
Police and paramedics attempted to resuscitate her but there were “no signs of life”. Her blood and hair was found on the pillow, which had allegedly been used to smother her, the court heard.
Fong was arrested and was said to have later told police: “I snapped, I just wanted her to keep quiet”, the jury heard. Mr Makepeace QC told the jury that in interview, Fong was described as “alert” and “did not appear confused and gave a good history of events”. He showed “no abnormal behaviour”, the jury heard, and gave a no comment interview.
On December 7, a psychiatric assessment was carried out where Fong reported no mental health problems and there was “no evidence of any deterioration in mental health”.
The jury heard that a second son of the couple was also interviewed and he told officers he was “unaware of any domestic incidents” which could have preceeded the alleged murder.
Fong denies murder and the trial continues.