By Elena Chong
ADISPUTE between a hawker and a customer over a bowl of fishball
noodles cost the customer his thumb, a district court heard on
Thursday.
Sim Yong Ha, 66, who was then selling fishball noodles, was
having an argument with retiree Chan Seng Chai, 57, at Block 79
Telok Blangah Drive last Sept 30 when he used a chopper to block a
chair held by the victim.
Mr Chan had confronted Sim over his earlier behaviour when he
remarked that Mr Chan's wife should not be so demanding as the
noodle only cost $2. Mr Chan's wife, Madam Loh Woon Kew, 51, had
told Sim to separate the chilli from the noodles and to cut the
noodles when she ordered a bowl for her husband. Sim complied.
Madam Loh then told her husband what happened. After finishing
his breakfast, Mr Chan confronted Sim about his earlier
behaviour.
The two men had an argument, during which Sim again commented
that the noodles only cost $2. Mr Chan then grabbed a plastic chair
and wanted to swing it at Sim, who took a chopper to block the
chair.
The chopper hit the victim's left hand and resulted in his thumb
being amputated. The thumb was re-attached during an operation at
Singapore General Hospital.
Sim, who admitted to causing grievous hurt by doing a rash and
life-endangering act, will be sentenced on June 7. The maximum
penalty is four years' jail and a $10,000 fine.
