A MINOR dispute between two men at a petrol kiosk led to the motorist driving against the flow of traffic three times and driving towards a cabby at a fast speed.

Lim Kok Tiong, who pleaded guilty earlier to committing the life-endangering rash act at Havelock Road, was jailed for three months and banned from driving for three years on Friday.

The court heard that Mr Yeo Seok Thai's cab was behind Lim's car at the Shell kiosk along Havelock Road past 2am on Sept 26, 2007.

Both men had a dispute after Mr Yeo had honked at the 43-year-old to warn him that he was behind when Lim had reversed his car slightly.

The two agreed to meet behind the kiosk at Havelock Link for a fight. Mr Yeo drove there and waited for Lim, who did not show up. He then walked back to the kiosk. On seeing him, Lim drove his car towards the victim at a fast speed. The victim dodged and fell.

In a fit of anger, the victim retrieved a PVC pipe and struck at Lim's car several times as it headed directly towards him. Lim drove out and travelled against the flow of traffic a second time before entering the kiosk.

By then, the victim was standing near the entrance in front of two parked taxis. Lim drove his car directly at the victim who jumped to his right. The car hit one of the parked taxis which in turn collided with the other.

He left the kiosk and again travelled against the flow of traffic a third time before he went into the kiosk to park. Mr Yeo was fined $4,000 and ordered to compensate $700 to Lim last year for mischief. He pleaded guilty.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Ang Feng Qian sought a deterrent sentence as Lim had used his car as a weapon and endangered the lives of the public. Severe property damage was caused as a result.

Lawyer Anand Nalachandran, said his client, a driver, regretted his impulsive action. He said Lim did not intend to hit the cabby, only to frighten him as he expected the cabby to avoid the car.

Lim could have been jailed for up to six months and fined up to $1,000.