'I will f*** you up': S'porean, 19, admits to sending death threats to EPL footballer

He will be sentenced on July 7.

Syahindah Ishak | June 02, 2021, 04:57 PM

Derek Ng De Ren, a 19-year-old Singaporean, has admitted in court to threatening to kill English Premier League (EPL) football player Neal Maupay and his family.

According to Today, he pleaded guilty to two charges under the Protection from Harassment Act.

Maupay is a forward for football club Brighton & Hove Albion.

According to charge sheets seen by Mothership, Ng, who is a fan of Arsenal, sent the death threats in June and July 2020 via Instagram while he was in Singapore.

Maupay and his family were in the UK when the threats were made.

The death threats

On June 24, 2020, Ng messaged Maupay on Instagram, saying:

"You think you will get away for injuring Leno? No way in hell bruv... But don’t worry you will be safe you won’t be hurt. It’s more fun watching you feel pain when your loved ones go through suffering."

Maupay had scored the winning goal in a match against Arsenal days before Ng made the threat.

During the match, Arsenal's goalkeeper Bernd Leno was carried off the pitch after getting injured.

Ng threatened Maupay again the next day by saying:

"I will f*** you up."

On June 26, 2020, Ng messaged Maupay's Instagram once again, saying:

"Your family will be attacked later in the day, just watch."

Ng's last message was sent on July 1, 2020. He said:

"You think by reporting my account you're safe? I will kill you and your family."

Sentenced on July 7

Ng will be sentenced on July 7 following his guilty plea.

As reported by The Straits Times, the judge had called for reports to assess Ng’s suitability for probation and reformative training.

Statement from Premier League

In a June 2 press release, the Premier League said:

"Derek Ng De Ren was convicted of crimes relating to harassment following an investigation and formal criminal complaint filed by the Premier League last August.

The threatening and abusive messages received by the player via Instagram were reported to the Premier League through its online abuse reporting system. The Premier League’s legal team undertook a detailed investigation to successfully identify and locate the offender.

The League subsequently worked with Neal, the club and local authorities in Singapore to pursue legal action against the defendant, resulting in his prosecution and conviction."

Online abuse was "appalling"

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said in a statement that the online abuse Maupay received was "appalling".

Masters stressed that the EPL is committed to supporting its players, managers and their families, and will continue to work with relevant authorities to fight online hate.

"As this case shows, we take each report seriously and will do everything we can to identify and investigate offenders and pursue legal action, wherever in the world they may be.

This outcome recognises the severity of the offence and we hope it will send a strong message of deterrence by demonstrating there are serious real-life consequences for those who engage in online abuse.”

Thanked Singapore authorities

Maupay, as well as Paul Barber, the chief executive of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, thanked the Singapore authorities for dealing with this case.

Barber emphasised that abuse, trolling and online hate of any nature will not be tolerated by the football club.

He also urged social media platforms to "do more".

Maupay added that the "vile and toxic" online abuse he received is a daily occurrence for many professional athletes and public figures.

"I hope this goes someway to showing those online trolls that it is totally unacceptable and that the authorities are prepared to take the necessary action.”

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Top photo of Neal Maupay via Getty Images.