By Khushwant Singh

AN INVESTMENT analyst, who stabbed and slashed his wife with an 18cm-long blade on Sept 30 last year, had his sentencing adjourned on Tuesday to Aug 5.

Russell Tan Rui Leen, 39, pleaded guilty on June 20 to grievously hurting Madam Goh Hwee Suan, 35, during a dispute.

Court documents did not state the nature of the quarrel with his wife of seven years.

District Judge May Mesenas adjourned the hearing for the prosecution to check on Madam Goh's claims that she had received 'harassing SMSes and e-mail' from Tan after the attack.

Tan's lawyer said that many of the messages were apologies by Tan to his wife, as well as to make arrangements to see the children

The couple, who has two sons, aged six and three, is in the midst of a divorce.

Tan, who was a journalist with The Straits Times for eight months in 1994, faces a life-term in jail and up to 24 strokes of the cane.

He is out on $15,000 bail.