MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO DOMESTIC HOMICIDE IN NEWCASTLE
A 51-year-old man who admitted to killing his wife of nearly three decades by suffocating her with a hotel pillow has pleaded guilty to her murder after changing his plea during their trial.Pek Ying Ling's body was found at the County Aparthotel, located on Westgate Road in Newcastle, on December 6 last year.
Her husband, Soong Hert Fong, also 51, was on trial at Newcastle Crown Court.
Initially, he confessed to manslaughter but denied the murder charge; however, he later altered his plea to guilty of murder.
He is now facing a potential life sentence at his sentencing hearing.
According to court testimony, Mr Fong, who lives in Marine Vista, Singapore, took his wife’s life in their hotel room just hours before they were to leave for Paris.
After the incident, he contacted one of their three sons, who was studying in Newcastle, and told him: 'I have hurt your mother.
She's gone.
She's dead.
I just lost control.
I tried to cover her mouth to silence her.
I just lost it.' He initially claimed he could not remember the details of the killing but later admitted to intentionally murdering his wife.
The court was told that Mr Fong had needed medical attention after several falls during their trip and was distressed by his wife’s remarks about his health and wellbeing.
Prosecutors suggested that his motive was to stop her from scolding or nagging him.
Evidence indicated that Mrs Pek Ying Ling was found with a pillow covering her face, and prosecutors suggested that Mr Fong may have applied force by kneeling on her shoulders to suffocate her.
The couple had recently visited the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle prior to returning to the hotel.
Following his guilty plea, his children shared their sorrow and expressed their support.
The case is now awaiting sentencing, where Mr Fong faces the possibility of life imprisonment.
