The charge was read by a magistrate to Tan Peck Soon, 19, at his bedside in the Tan Tock Seng Hospital yesterday morning. Murder carries the death penalty.

The welder is accused of killing Miss Chong Kar Yan, 20, who had been working here as a coffee shop assistant of an economical rice stall in Bishan. She was found at the foot of Block 565, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3, just before 2am on Saturday. Police believe she fell from the 12th storey.

Tan was found moments later, lying in a construction site just in front of the block. He was taken to the hospital. It is believed that Tan had fractured his arm after falling from a height, although it is not clear how or why he fell.