A MAN who stabbed his uncle to death while suffering paranoid delusions was handed eight years in jail yesterday after the prosecution confirmed it was not seeking a life sentence.

Heng Boon Chai, who suffers from schizophrenia, had pleaded guilty in May to culpable homicide following last year's killing.

The prosecution originally wanted to ask for a life sentence or a jail term of no less than 10 years for the 30-year-old. But Deputy Public Prosecutor Peter Koy changed it to 10 years following the testimony yesterday of a psychiatrist who said Heng's schizophrenia was improving.

Dr Tan Lay Ling told the High Court that Heng started treatment last October and, during a review in June this year, she found no evidence of disorder.

'He had no further delusional thinking or hallucinatory experiences,' said the consultant psychiatrist from the Institute of Mental Health.

Last September, overwhelmed by his paranoid delusions, Heng stabbed his 55-year-old uncle Heng Kim Teck repeatedly with a knife.

Heng thought his uncle had caused the deaths of his elder brother and grandfather. But Heng's brother, who was also schizophrenic, committed suicide in 1998, while his grandfather died of natural causes in 2000.

With the eight-year jail term, Heng could be freed in five years and four months with time off for good behaviour.

The sentence, handed down by Justice Woo Bih Li, was also backdated to Sept 5 last year, the date of his remand.

Heng, who looked listless in court, displayed no expression. However, his father and mother, as well as about 15 family members in the public gallery, appeared relieved.

While Heng has shown signs of improvement, Dr Tan cautioned that studies show up to 80 per cent of patients could experience a relapse within five years.

She suggested that Heng, who is on medication, be kept at Changi Prison Medical Complex where doctors could monitor his condition.

Defence lawyer Subhas Anandan had suggested that Heng be released into the care of his family.

Through Mr Anandan, the parents said they would miss Heng as the family is very closely knit.

khush@sph.com.sg