Huang Jia Xin, 25, had earlier admitted to beating Mr Wong Yek See, 48, following an accident three years ago.

District Judge Shaiffudin Saruwan, however, ruled on Friday that the offence did not amount to road rage.

While the $1,000 fine was the highest allowed under the law, Huang escaped a jail sentence, which is the norm in road rage cases.

The court heard that at 8pm on Feb 6, 2005, a car driven by Mr Wong's wife grazed Huang's vehicle at a car park at Bangkit Road.

Mr Wong's wife called her husband and when he arrived, an argument erupted over how much the couple should pay to repair the damage, estimated by Huang at $100.

When Mr Wong turned away to move the car, which was blocking traffic, Huang attacked him from behind. He hit the back of Mr Wong's head and punched his face. Mr Wong suffered bruises on his head and neck, and a cut on the lip.

Huang's lawyer, Mr Lim Swee Tee urged the court not to consider the case as road rage. He said that everyone had remained 'cool' when discussing the compensation.

But the police prosecutor insisted that what Huang did amounted to road rage. When sentence was passed, Huang, who had pleaded guilty, looked relieved. His father, who was in court, paid the fine.

Both declined to speak to the press.

Huang could be jailed up to a year.