Undertaker jailed for brawl
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Tay, 62, is known for footing the funeral costs of high-profile murder victims here.UNDERTAKER Roland Tay Hai Choon, known for bearing the funeral costs of high-profile murder victims, has made the news for a far less charitable deed.
Yesterday, the 62-year-old was jailed six months for criminal intimidation and his role in beating up a former business partner.
In a May 2007 altercation outside the Lavender Street premises of funeral services company All Saints Christian Bereavement (ASCB), he swung a crowbar at Mr Paul Wong Wah Suang, 54, and threatened to kill him.
Three of Tay's male employees at the scene also took part in the assault. Raj M. Perumal, 46, was given two months' jail. The other two, Suresh Kannan Selvi, 35, and Marie Kelvin Mark, 34, got a month each.
Tay, the director of Direct Singapore Funeral Services, is known for stepping up to foot the funeral costs of murder victims like China girl Huang Na and Kallang body-parts victim Liu Hong Mei.
Direct Singapore shared office space with ASCB, of which Mr Wong's wife Annie Heng, 49, was director.
On May 31, 2007, following a business dispute with Tay, Mr Wong arrived at the office to pick up items such as signboards, name cards and banners. He was with his wife and Mr Dennis Lee, a private eye the couple had engaged. Tay and his men arrived shortly after.
Assistant Public Prosecutor K. Kalaithasan said witnesses saw Tay trip as he charged at Mr Wong with the crowbar. Helped up by his henchmen, he ordered them to attack Mr Wong, who later required two days of medical leave.
In mitigation, Tay's lawyer Gurdip Singh said his client, a father of five and grandfather of four, had provided funeral services for the poor and donated generously to several charities.
Tay will appeal against his conviction and sentence.
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chey...i tot him..
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hanor hanor!
i tot the deadman wwe undertaker