SINGAPORE: A
business development manager was given five weeks' jail on Friday for
punching a taxi driver and causing damage to the bonnet of his
ComfortDelGro taxi.
36-year-old Andrew Tan Soo Kiat pleaded guilty to one count of mischief and another count of voluntarily causing hurt to 61-year-old Hong Lee Tat.
Tan was entertaining his client in September 2010 in East Coast Park and was drinking heavily.
The court heard that Tan felt "obliged" to drink more and was "afraid that his client would look down on him" if he did not do so.
Tan later called for his friend to accompany him home, and the duo boarded Hong's taxi for Jalan Rama Rama around 3am.
Upon arrival, they alighted from the taxi without paying the S$15 fare.
Hong called them back, which resulted in Tan turning aggressive and an argument ensued.
Tan eventually paid up and Hong drove off from the car park.
But as Hong reached the barrier, Tan and his friend went to confront him.
Tan then jumped onto the taxi's bonnet, causing more than S$300 worth of damage.
Tan also hurled vulgarities at Hong, punched his stomach and kicked him in the knee. This caused Hong to fall and hit his head on the ground.
A security supervisor at a condominium nearby witnessed the incident and pulled Tan away.
Hong was sent to Changi General Hospital, where he was treated for knee abrasion and spine tenderness.
In mitigation, Tan's lawyer, Ms Gloria James, said that the offence happened "at the spur of the moment and when he was very drunk".
She added that Tan had sought help for his alcohol dependency problem.
The court also heard that Tan had apologised to Hong and paid him S$771 as compensation.
The maximum punishment for mischief is a jail term of a year and a fine.
For voluntarily causing hurt, Tan could be jailed for up to two years and fined S$5,000.
- CNA/al
36-year-old Andrew Tan Soo Kiat pleaded guilty to one count of mischief and another count of voluntarily causing hurt to 61-year-old Hong Lee Tat.
Tan was entertaining his client in September 2010 in East Coast Park and was drinking heavily.
The court heard that Tan felt "obliged" to drink more and was "afraid that his client would look down on him" if he did not do so.
Tan later called for his friend to accompany him home, and the duo boarded Hong's taxi for Jalan Rama Rama around 3am.
Upon arrival, they alighted from the taxi without paying the S$15 fare.
Hong called them back, which resulted in Tan turning aggressive and an argument ensued.
Tan eventually paid up and Hong drove off from the car park.
But as Hong reached the barrier, Tan and his friend went to confront him.
Tan then jumped onto the taxi's bonnet, causing more than S$300 worth of damage.
Tan also hurled vulgarities at Hong, punched his stomach and kicked him in the knee. This caused Hong to fall and hit his head on the ground.
A security supervisor at a condominium nearby witnessed the incident and pulled Tan away.
Hong was sent to Changi General Hospital, where he was treated for knee abrasion and spine tenderness.
In mitigation, Tan's lawyer, Ms Gloria James, said that the offence happened "at the spur of the moment and when he was very drunk".
She added that Tan had sought help for his alcohol dependency problem.
The court also heard that Tan had apologised to Hong and paid him S$771 as compensation.
The maximum punishment for mischief is a jail term of a year and a fine.
For voluntarily causing hurt, Tan could be jailed for up to two years and fined S$5,000.
- CNA/al
PS:
Thats the danger of driving at night.
You never know if drunks will turn aggressive.
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