SINGAPORE — A man who stabbed a priest during communion at St Joseph’s Church in November 2024 was sentenced today to four years and three months’ jail and nine strokes of the cane.

Basnayake Keith Spencer, 38, pleaded guilty to voluntarily causing grievous hurt and to carrying multiple weapons in public without lawful purpose, according to a report by CNA.

Prosecutors called the attack a “brazen and wholly unprovoked assault” on a defenceless priest, emphasising that it unfolded in front of hundreds of parishioners during a children’s mass.

Basnayake stabbed Father Christopher Lee Kwong Heng in the mouth with a foldable knife that had a 10cm partially serrated blade after queuing for communion on November 9, 2024.

The priest sustained injuries to the floor of his mouth, tongue, upper lip and mouth, and later underwent surgery followed by extensive post‑operative care.

The court heard that Basnayake also carried a butterfly knife, a penknife, a fishing gaff and a mallet either on him or in his bag at the time of the attack.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Xu Si Jia said the incident “struck at the heart of the sensibilities of the public” and argued that deterrence was necessary to address widespread disquiet.

She told the court that Basnayake had taken five nitrazepam tablets before the attack and was “clearly aware” of their effects, adding that his psychosis was “entirely self‑induced”.

A doctor from the Institute of Mental Health reported that Basnayake had previously lost consciousness and experienced hallucinations after consuming the tablets.