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Father pleads guilty to killing of twins suffering from autism

50 year old Xavier Yap Jung Houn admits to the tragic killing of his autistic twin sons, citing a misguided desire to ease his wife’s burdens and fears for their future.

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1 year ago

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SINGAPORE: In a heart-wrenching case that deeply affected the nation, Xavier Yap Jung Houn, 50, confessed on Tuesday to the tragic killing of his 11-year-old twin sons, Yap Kai Shern Aston and Yap E Chern Ethan.

The incident, which transpired near a playground in Upper Bukit Timah, sent shockwaves throughout the nation.

Yap, during his guilty plea on Tuesday, revealed he committed the horrendous act believing he was relieving his wife of the burden of their autistic sons.

The heart-wrenching admission further elaborated on his fear that his children would be subjected to bullying and eventual neglect after his and his wife’s demise.

Originally charged with murder, Yap’s charges were reduced to two counts of culpable homicide in February 2023.

This came after a medical diagnosis established he was grappling with a major depressive disorder of moderate severity during the time of the murders.

Background

The court was informed that the Yap family, which consisted of the father, mother, and the twin boys, resided together and had a domestic helper for assisting with the care of the boys.

The twins, suspected to be on the autism spectrum from the age of two, were officially diagnosed with global development delay and autism in May 2017.

The prosecution highlighted that the twins’ mother had a challenging time accepting their diagnosis.

In 2019, despite their non-verbal status, they were enrolled in a mainstream primary school. The twins’ education, however, was heavily reliant on the presence of their mother and maid, leading to irregular attendance.

Despite the challenges, Yap maintained a strong bond with his sons, assisting with their daily needs and becoming more actively involved in their studies over time.

However, he grew increasingly disheartened by his wife’s difficulty in accepting their condition, leading to concerns that intensified around 2021.

The Killings:

Yap’s concerns reached a peak when he noticed his wife’s mounting frustration and depression as the boys faced an assessment to determine their continuation in mainstream schooling. This led him to develop a devastating plan around the start of 2022.

On 21 January, Yap drove his sons to the secluded Greenridge Crescent Playground. After a brief play session, the unsuspecting boys were taken to an adjacent field where Yap proceeded with the unspeakable act.

Despite his initial intent to end his life as well, Yap failed in his suicide attempts.

In a desperate bid to face the death penalty, Yap tried to feign an attack, even calling the police claiming assault and implicating another for the boys’ deaths.

However, upon the arrival of law enforcement, Yap’s narrative began to crumble, leading to his eventual confession.

Autopsy reports confirmed that the twins died from strangulation. Medical evaluations subsequently revealed Yap’s severe depressive disorder, which impacted his judgment, leading to his belief that ending his sons’ lives would free them from their struggles.

The charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder can result in life imprisonment, caning, or up to 20 years’ jail and fines. The court has yet to announce Yap’s sentence.

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Crime

Singaporean fugitive deported from Thailand, to be charged with drug trafficking

A Singaporean fugitive arrested in Thailand, was deported to Singapore on 19 September 2024 and faces drug trafficking charges. Authorities expect him to face the death penalty under Singapore’s tough drug laws for running a smuggling operation between Thailand, Australia, and Singapore.

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10 hours ago

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19 September 2024

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A 31-year-old Singaporean man, wanted for drug trafficking offences, was arrested in Thailand and deported to Singapore on 19 September 2024.

The fugitive, identified as Benny Kee Soon Chuan, was apprehended by Thai police at his residence near Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and will face charges in court on 20 September.

Kee, described as a high-level trafficker, ran a smuggling operation that trafficked crystal methamphetamine, ketamine, and Ecstasy to Australia and Singapore using Thailand as a transit hub, according to Pol Lt Gen Panurat Lakboon, secretary-general of Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB).

Cross-Border Investigation and Arrest

The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) of Singapore had issued an arrest warrant for Kee following investigations into two drug trafficking cases in December 2020 and November 2022.

He had been on the run since 11 April 2016, prompting CNB to collaborate with its international counterparts, including the ONCB. Thai authorities were tipped off by CNB on 12 August 2024, and after weeks of investigation, Kee was apprehended on 17 September.

Thai immigration officials revealed that Kee had entered Thailand earlier in 2024 using a Vanuatu passport.

Following his arrest, Kee’s Thai visa was cancelled, and assets worth 15 million baht (S$585,000), including luxury watches, gold pieces, and a luxury car, were seized during a raid on his residence in Samut Prakan.

Lt Gen Panurat confirmed that the fugitive had been living an affluent lifestyle in Thailand despite lacking legitimate employment.

Links to Broader Drug Network

Kee is believed to be linked to other Singaporean traffickers involved in the smuggling of drugs from Thailand.

In March 2021, Thailand’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Task Force (AITF) intercepted packages containing Ecstasy and ketamine destined for Singapore, as well as crystal methamphetamine bound for Australia.

Two other Singaporean men, aged 21 and 29 at the time of their arrests, were later sentenced to imprisonment and caning in Singapore for their involvement in these operations, which were connected to Kee’s trafficking network.

Death Penalty Under Singaporean Law

Kee’s deportation to Singapore brings him under the jurisdiction of Singapore’s severe drug laws, which prescribe the death penalty for those convicted of trafficking substantial amounts of controlled substances.

Singaporean authorities have indicated that he could face the death penalty under the country’s strict drug trafficking laws. Pol Lt Gen Panurat indicated that Singaporean authorities are expected to seek the maximum penalty for Kee’s alleged offences.

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Crime

Islamic firm CEO among 19 arrested in Malaysia’s charity home abuse scandal

The CEO of Islamic firm Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) and his wife were among 19 arrested by Malaysian authorities on Thursday for alleged child abuse linked to their charity homes. Last week, police rescued 402 children from these homes. Investigations revealed a horrifying network of abuse, with at least 13 children allegedly sodomised or taught to sexually assault others.

Published

14 hours ago

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19 September 2024

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MALAYSIA: In a major crackdown, Malaysian police have arrested several members of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) top management, including CEO Nasiruddin Ali and his wife.

The arrests were made in a special operation conducted by Bukit Aman’s criminal investigation department at multiple locations.

As of 19 September, total of 19 people were detained, including the CEO’s two children and the child of former Al-Arqam leader Ashaari Muhammad.

Among those arrested are 12 men and seven women, aged between 30 and 65.

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain confirmed the arrests and promised to provide updates soon.

The arrests come on the heels of a significant child sexual abuse scandal involving GISBH.

Last week, police rescued 402 children from 20 welfare homes linked to the organization in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.

They also arrested 171 people, including an ustaz and a hostel warden.

The case sent shockwaves throughout the country as investigations revealed a horrifying network of child abuse.

At least 13 of the rescued children were allegedly sodomized or taught to sexually assault others.

GISBH initially denied operating the welfare homes and rejected the allegations of abuse.

However, Nasiruddin later admitted that cases of sodomy had occurred within the organization in the past, while denying any deviant teachings.

In a related development, three men linked to GISBH pleaded not guilty in a Seremban court to charges of sexually assaulting boys aged between nine and 11 at a religious school associated with the organisation.

The alleged assaults took place between 2022 and 2023 in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan.

Additionally, another man was charged in Putrajaya for allegedly threatening a woman to withdraw a police report against GISBH.

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