News

Convicted Rapist Who Was Out on Bail & Due for Sentencing in Court Found Dead Hours before Hearing

2022-02-04 , 12:08 pm

When one is due to show up in court, it is a serious offence not to do so. However, for a certain individual, he chose another means to escape his sentence.

The price to pay? His life.

Wong Zhun Siong, 27, was found dead at the foot of a 40-storey block of flats at about 7am yesterday (3 February), over two hours before he was due to be sentenced in the High Court.

Missing & Absent From Court Hearing

Wong was convicted last year of raping an 18-year-old woman who was drunk when he took her back to his home after approaching her in Clarke Quay. He was due to be sentenced yesterday morning.

His father had put up bail of $80,000 for him. However, when Wong failed to show up for the scheduled hearing, his father told the court that he was uncontactable.

Wong’s father had woken up at 8.30am and realised his son was not at home. His phone line had also been cut off.

Wong’s lawyer, Mr Gregory Fong, said his client had texted him at about 3am and there was no indication he would not be turning up in court.

Police Alerted of Unnatural Death

The police told The Straits Times that they were alerted to a case of unnatural death at 6.55am on Thursday at Block 18D Holland Drive. A man was found motionless at the location and pronounced dead at the scene by a Singapore Civil Defence Force paramedic.

“Based on preliminary investigations, the police do not suspect foul play. Police investigations are still ongoing,” the police added.

Wong’s Crimes

In March 2019, Wong’s victim, her boyfriend and their colleagues had gone to F Club in Clarke Quay.

After the couple left the club, the boyfriend’s Grab ride arrived first. Wong, who was with a friend, spotted her standing alone. After his friend failed to chat her up, the two men went off to have a bite. So nothing happened?

Wait, there’s more.

When they returned, Wong approached her and took her to a Starbucks outlet before taking her home in a taxi. Surveillance footage shows her vomiting and staggering at times.

When she woke up, the woman found herself almost naked. She then borrowed $14 from Wong to take a taxi home and made a police report later that day.

Wong was later arrested at about 8.45pm that day at the Tuas Checkpoint.

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While investigating, the police also discovered Wong’s encounter with another victim, a 27-year-old woman.

In April 2018, Wong met her at the Zouk nightclub before taking her to a handicap toilet, where he partially pulled down her pants and took photographs.

He was originally charged with attempted rape, but the High Court found that his acts were insufficient to establish the charge and acquitted him.

In December last year, Wong was convicted of molesting the 27-year-old woman instead.

Charges

For rape, he would have faced up to 20 years’ jail and a fine or caning. For molestation, he would have faced up to two years’ jail, a fine, caning, or any combination of these punishments.

Wong, who was on bail, was supposed to receive these charges yesterday.

After being told by Wong’s lawyer and father that he could not be contacted, Justice Mavis Chionh issued a warrant for Wong’s arrest. The judge also told Wong’s father that if he was able to contact Wong, he must tell his son to surrender himself to the police immediately.

A hearing was fixed on Feb 14 for Wong’s father to explain why the bail money should not be forfeited.