SINGAPORE – Former China tour guide Yang Yin has not been seen in public for almost two years.
He has spent that time in Changi Prison, after being arrested by the police in September 2014, charged a month later and denied bail.
Today (May 30), he made his first public appearance as his trial kicked off this morning. He is on trial for falsification and immigration charges.
Dressed in purple overalls, Yang’s hair was neatly-trimmed and he looked seemingly run down, said The Straits Times.
The 42-year-old reportedly “looked tense” when he appeared in court with hands and legs shackled.
Yang faces 349 criminal charges, the most serious of which are for criminal breach of trust for allegedly siphoning off $1.1 million from Madam Chung Khin Chun, 89.
Also spotted in court on Monday were Madam Chung, her niece Hedy Mok and her long-time friend, retired teacher Chang Phie Chin, reported The Straits Times.
When Yang spotted Madam Chung, he tried to make eye contact with her, according to the report.
The case involving Madam Chung and Yang broke in 2014, when the widow’s niece, Madam Mok, started legal action against him for allegedly manipulating her aunt into handing over her assets.
Madam Chung owns a bungalow in Gerald Crescent and her assets are estimated to be worth $40 million. The retired physiotherapist has no children.
The Straits Times, Raymond Tan
Her husband, Dr Chou Sip King, died in 2007.
Yang acted as Madam Chung’s private guide during a China trip in 2008. He had been introduced to the widow by Madam Chang Phie Chin, a retired teacher who is a family friend.
A year later, he came to Singapore and moved into her bungalow, claiming that the widow wanted him to be her “grandson”.
In 2011, he obtained permanent residency and later, moved his wife and two young children here as dependants. The family lived in Madam Chung’s bungalow.
maryanns@sph.com.sg
Timeline
2006
Madam Chang Phie Chin introduces Yang Yin to Madam Chung Khin Chun and her husband, Dr Chou Sip King.
Dr Chou dies in 2007.
2008
Yang acts as the private tour guide for Madam Chung and Madam Chang while they are on holiday in Beijing.
Yang keeps in touch with Madam Chung after the trip.
2009
Yang visits Madam Chung and stays in her bungalow. He also sets up his company, Young Music and Dance Studio . In September, Yang fires Madam Chung’s driver of 30 years. He obtains an Employment Pass to work in Singapore.
2010
Madam Chung makes a will leaving her assets, including the bungalow, to Yang.
2011
Madam Chang moves out of the Gerald Crescent bungalow. She had lived there since 2004, after Dr Chou’s health deteriorated.
Yang becomes a Singapore permanent resident.
2012
Yang is given Lasting Power of Attorney(LPA) by Madam Chung, giving him control over her welfare and assets.
In 2013, his wife Weng Yandan and their two children move in to live in the Gerald Crescent bungalow.
2014
In April, Madam Chung is diagnosed with dementia.
The LPA is revoked in November after Madam Chung’s niece, Madam Hedy Mok, starts court proceedings against Yang.
Yang is arrested in September and charged in October. He is later denied bail.
2015
Madam Chung’s new will is recognised by the Family Justice Courts in April. Her new will leaves most of her assets to charity and nothing for the former tour guide.
2016
The High Court dismisses the appeal made by Yang in April this year regarding the new will. The criminal trials are scheduled to take place from May to July.
The Straits Times, Madam Hedy Mok, Lianhe Wanbao, Madam Chang Phie Chin
The key players in the saga
MADAM CHUNG KHIN CHUN
The woman at the heart of the saga is 89-year-old widow Chung Khin Chun, who was diagnosed with dementia in 2014. Her assets, which include a Gerald Crescent bungalow off Yio Chu Kang Road, are estimated to be worth $40 million.
YANG YIN
The 42-year-old former tour guide is being accused of manipulating the elderly widow into handing over her assets. In a 2010 will, Yang Yin stood to inherit all of Madam Chung’s assets. But a new will recognised by the courts will leave most of her assets to charity, and nothing to Yang. His wife and parents are also defendants in the civil suit.
MADAM HEDY MOK
The case unfolded in 2014 after the niece of the wealthy widow, Madam Hedy Mok, a 62-year-old tour agency owner, commenced a series of legal actions against Yang.
MADAM CHANG PHIE CHIN
The retired teacher has known Madam Chung and her late husband, Dr Chou Sip King, for more than 50 years. Madam Chang Phie Chin, who is now 86, lived with the couple in their Gerald Crescent bungalow after Dr Chou’s health deteriorated. She moved out in 2011.
MR PETER DORAISAMY
The lawyer from Selvam LLC represents Madam Mok in the High Court civil suit. MR IRVING CHOH The lawyer took over the civil case for Yang Yin from Mr Joseph Liow in April. He is the founder of law firm Optimus Chambers.
MR WEE PAN LEE
He acts for Yang in the criminal matters.
