THE Court of Appeal raised the jail term of a gang leader from four years and nine months to seven years even though he did not lay a hand on his victim, to make it clear that there was no room for leniency for those who perpetuate gang violence.

It warned that such violence if left unchecked would have wider consequences in the community.

The three-judge court underscored its stand when it explained why it raised the jail term of ringleader Leong Soon Kheong, who was behind the fatal gang attack on polytechnic student Wong Dao Jing in February 2003.

Leong, 32, had initially been sentenced to four years and nine months in the High Court last September after he pleaded guilty to culpable homicide but the public prosecutor successfully appealed against the term.

In the grounds for its decision published last week, the court said this was a case where group violence fed upon itself and led to greater violence, which in turn underlined the need for deterrence when the 'power of numbers is abused'.

'Left unchecked, such conduct can very easily morph into an uncontrollable spiral of tragic consequences that can affect the wider community,' said Justice V.K. Rajah, writing on the court's behalf.

In cases of group violence, in particular, 'the judicial jaw must be set tightly against leniency to unmistakably encapsulate the public's abhorrence for such conduct', he said.

Dao Jing, 18, who had stolen an unattended backpack from a video arcade in the Lucky Chinatown Shopping Centre, was set upon by Leong's group when he tried to return the backpack.

The court drew attention to Leong's role as a mastermind and leader.

Leong had a 'powerful reason for the attack as he wanted to show his authority and bravado in front of his accomplices', the judge said.

Read the full report in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times.