A 61-YEAR-OLD businessman who punched another motorist in a
dispute over a parking space was fine $1,600 yesterday.
Tan Tek Sin, who also goes by the name Chin Tek Sin, admitted to
punching business executive Chee I-Ming, 38, on the mouth at the
basement of the multi-storey carpark of Mount Alvernia Hospital on
June 7 last year.
Tan was also ordered to pay Mr Chee $300 in compensation.
The court heard that the younger man was waiting for a parking
space in the carpark when he spotted one and drove towards it.
Then he saw Tan swerve in front of his car.
Mr Chee alighted from his car and approached Tan, who also got
out of his car.
During the dispute that ensued, Tan tried - unsuccessfully - to
grab Mr Chee's hair. He then scratched Mr Chee in his left eye,
delivered a punch to his face, and got back into his car and drove
off.
Tan's lawyer, Mr Gregory Ong, pleading for leniency, pointed out
that Mr Chee's injuries were minor and that his client was under
stress from dealing with his daughter's advanced cancer.
Tan could have been jailed for up to two years and/or fined up
to $5,000 for voluntarily causing hurt.
(Taken from The Straits Times, Tuesday, May 31 2011, Page
B5)