AN ARGUMENT over money issues led Chan Boon Seng to hit his wife in an incident last year.

She then applied for a personal protection order through The Subordinate Courts to prevent him from abusing her again.

However, the 51-year-old odd-job labourer went back to his old ways in August 2008 when he used a metal pole to hit her before pushing her to the ground.

As a result, Madam Yue Chui Lian, 52, who works as a cleaner, suffered bruises on her head, back and arms.

District Judge May Mesenas on Friday sentenced Chan to three months' jail. He could have been sentenced to the maximum of six months' jail and fined $2,000.

She said that the aggravating factors of the case were that Chan had used a pole and that he had attacked his wife.

On Aug 20, Madam Yue asked her husband in their Pasir Ris flat if he was cheating on her, said court papers.

Chan lost his temper and Madam Yue, who sensed something amiss, went into her bedroom, locking the door behind her.

Chan then started banging on the door, demanding that she open it. When she refused, he forced the door open and attacked her with a 40cm-long metal pole.

He then pushed her onto the floor where she hit her head.

The couple's 19-year-old daughter who heard the commotion, stopped Chan and called the police.

Madam Yue was taken to Changi General Hospital and has since recovered from her injuries.

The court heard that Chan was ordered to undergo counselling sessions by the Family Court.