A full-time national serviceman originally facing the death penalty for stabbing a mother of two to death during the Mid-Autumn Festival three years ago will escape the gallows.

The prosecution has indicated that it will reduce the murder charge against Soh Wee Kian, 23, to that of culpable homicide, which carries either life imprisonment and caning, or up to 20 years' jail and a fine or caning.

This emerged in the High Court on Wednesday, which was originally scheduled to be the first day of Soh's trial for murdering Madam Hoe Hong Lin, 32, at Mandai Tekong Park in Woodlands Drive 50 on Sept 22, 2010.

Besides killing Madam Hoe, Soh is accused of slashing three other women in the northern part of Singapore between January and May that year .

The High Court heard that Soh will plead guilty later this month to the reduced culpable homicide charge as well as another charge of causing grievous hurt with a weapon.

Two other charges - of causing grievous hurt with a dangerous weapon and causing hurt with a dangerous weapon - will be taken into consideration during sentencing.

Causing grievous hurt with a weapon is punishable by life imprisonment or up to 15 years' jail, and a fine or caning.