In front of a packed congregation, the woman ran up the aisle to the altar where Father Simon Tan , 45, was standing and used her black handbag to hit the priest's arms and shoulders.

The attack lasted just a few seconds. The woman managed to get a few swings away at Father Simon before a younger woman ran up to pull her aside with the help of several churchgoers. Witnesses described her as tanned, slim built and wearing jeans and a turquoise polo T-shirt.

Read the full story in Monday's edition of The Straits Times.