POSTED: 11 Jul
2013 12:52 PM
A taxi driver who punched a motorcyclist was sentenced to
two weeks' jail on Thursday.
SINGAPORE: A taxi driver who punched a motorcyclist was
sentenced to two weeks' jail on Thursday.
Forty-three-year-old Poh Teik Eng admitted to hurting
28-year-old Yen Chee Jiang by punching him in the chest with two
clenched fists in February last year.
The incident happened along Havelock Road towards Upper
Pickering Street at about 9am during rush hour.
Mr Yen was riding on his motorcycle behind Poh's taxi. The two
men were on the right-turn only lane.
The accused wanted to filter to the left lane and in the
process, he jammed his brakes. Due to the heavy traffic, Poh had to
turn back to the initial lane he was on.
He then tried for a second time to filter out of the right-turn
only lane and again jammed his brakes.
The victim, who was still behind Poh, sounded his horn and
shouted at the accused as he rode past the taxi.
A heated exchange ensued and Poh ran towards the victim to punch
him.
Prosecutor Daphne Lim said it is in the public's interest to
deter such instances of road hooliganism.
In mitigation, defence lawyer Diana Ngiam said the victim was
the one who first shouted at the accused.
She said it was under such circumstances that the accused
reacted.
Ms Ngiam added that Mr Yen's injuries were not serious and urged
the judge to give her client a second chance.
Poh could have faced a maximum penalty of a two-year jail term
and a S$5,000 fine.
