The man accused of stabbing a priest at St Joseph’s Church in November 2024 has been hit with new charges. Basnayake Keith Spencer, 37, who was already facing one count of voluntarily causing grievous hurt with a weapon, now faces three additional weapons possession charges.
Knife Attack and Multiple Weapons Possession Charges
Basnayake was denied bail on 17 March 2025 and will face a pre-trial conference on 14 Apr. The Singaporean allegedly attacked Reverend Christopher Lee, 57, at the Upper Bukit Timah Road church on 9 November 2024, shortly before 6:30pm.
Court documents revealed that Father Lee suffered an 8cm laceration on his tongue, a 3cm cut on his upper left lip, and a 4cm cut on the corner of his mouth during the assault, which took place while he was distributing communion.
The three new charges specify that Basnayake had a 14.5cm penknife, a flip knife, and a fishing gaff (a pole with a sharp hook) in his possession at the church during the incident.
Members of the congregation disarmed Basnayake before police arrived to arrest him. A video that circulated online after the attack showed a slim man in a bloodied white T-shirt being led away from the church with his hands held behind his back.
Police Investigation and Potential Penalties
In December 2024, the prosecution described Basnayake as a “highly dangerous” person with a high risk of reoffending, leading to his continued detention.
On 6 December 2024, police took a heavily shackled Basnayake back to the church as part of their investigation. He was seen showing officers the places he had visited on the day of the attack before being escorted back to a police vehicle.
The police have stated that they do not suspect the incident to be an act of terrorism and found no evidence suggesting it was a religiously motivated attack.
Father Lee was discharged from hospital on 15 November 2024, about a week after the assault.
If found guilty of voluntarily causing grievous hurt with a weapon, Basnayake could face life imprisonment or up to 15 years’ jail, a fine, and caning. Each count of weapons possession carries a potential penalty of up to three years in jail and at least six strokes of the cane.
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