SINGAPORE - A 46-year-old man originally accused of criminal intimidation now faces another charge of criminal conspiracy to commit murder.

Allen Vincent Hui Kim Seng was back in court on Friday (May 25), his second appearance since last Saturday.

He is alleged to have conspired with a group known as "Camorra Hitmen" between May 5 and May 13 to murder Mr Tan Han Shen, 30. The murder did not take place.

Hui was charged last Saturday with criminal intimidation with intent to cause death. He is accused of sending a text message on April 28 to Ms Ng Woan Man, 30, which said: "And he better don't be there else I will kill him."

Hui is married with a child and has one previous marriage. His defence lawyer T.M. Sinnadurai was engaged by his wife, who was present in court.

The Straits Times understands Hui and Ms Ng were former colleagues.

According to Lianhe Wanbao, Mr Tan is believed to be her boyfriend.

Hui faces the death penalty for being part of a conspiracy to commit murder - a charge which "hardly ever happens", said Association of Criminal Lawyers of Singapore president Sunil Sudheesan.

"I don't think anyone has been convicted on such a charge without participating in the murder," he said.

Similar offences could come under the charges of conspiracy for attempted murder instead, added Mr Sunil.

Hui will be remanded at Changi Medical Centre for a psychiatric evaluation, and will return to court on June 18.

For his other charge of criminal intimidation with intent to cause death, he faces a jail term of up to 10 years, a fine, or both.