Man Previously Sentenced to 6 Years’ Jail for Hiring Hitmen to Attack the Lover of His Mistress Had His Case Withdrawn

A tangled web of infidelity resulting in violence and injury has seen new developments with regards to the final outcome.

A businessman, who was initially given six years’ imprisonment after being found guilty of ordering an attack on his mistress’ boyfriend, has had his charge withdrawn. 

Man Previously Sentenced to 6 Years’ Jail for Hiring Hitmen to Attack the Lover of His Mistress Had His Case Withdrawn

On Wednesday (14 July), Lim Hong Liang, 57, was given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal for one charge of being involved in a conspiracy to voluntarily causing grievous hurt to his mistress’ boyfriend, Joshua Koh Kian Yong. 

Lim had originally contested the charge. However, he was convicted in April 2019 of hiring hitmen to attack Mr Koh. 

Lim, who was married, had a mistress, former Miss Mermaid 30-year-old Audrey Chen Ying Fang. 

He had met Ms Chen in 2014 and began an intimate relationship with her. He bought her gifts such as a car, a condominium unit, and the services of a domestic helper. 

Lim later found out that Ms Chen was in a relationship with banquet waiter Mr Koh, who was married to a Thai woman. 

The court heard that Lim wanted to teach Mr Koh a lesson. 

The love triangle turned violent when Lim was accused of paying hitmen S$5,000 to scar Mr Koh.

The hitmen attacked Mr Koh twice, first by punching and kicking him until his face was swollen and bleeding and his nose was fractured, then by slashing over his lips. 

According to previous court documents, the scar Mr Koh’s mouth is likely to be permanent. 

Lim appealed to the High Court against the conviction and sentence he was given. After the defence argued that prosecutors had failed to disclose a witness statement in the case, the court ordered a retrial. 

According to a spokesperson for the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) on Wednesday (14 July), “In preparing for the retrial, the prosecution reviewed the available evidence and decided to discontinue the criminal proceedings against Lim, and to administer a conditional warning to him instead.” 

The conditions that Lim will have to adhere to include not reoffending within a 36-month period, as well as providing compensation to the victim to cover his medical costs. 

If Lim goes against any of the conditions, the charge against him may be revived. 

If found guilty of conspiring to cause grievous hurt, one could receive a maximum term of life imprisonment, a fine, or caning.

Featured Image: Google Maps