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.
--ST
