SINGAPORE - An unemployed man was sentenced to three weeks' jail on Thursday for for attacking a taxi driver.

Bryan Mark Adam Perera, 30, pleaded guilty to punching Mr Ang Khuan, 60, in the abdomen at Serangoon North Avenue 3 on Nov 10, 2012.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Christine Liu said the victim picked up Perera along Serangoon Garden Way at about 5.20am that day and was directed to proceed to Serangoon North Avenue 3.

On reaching his destination, Perera paid the fare but did not alight. Instead he started shouting at the victim before punching him in his stomach.

After a while, Perera's family members arrived at the scene and tried to calm him down. They had heard the commotion from their unit and recognised his voice. They then took him away but not before Perera tried to punch Mr Ang again.

Perera's lawyer said his client had had a few drinks and was remorseful for his actions. Perera has been convicted twice before for disorderly behaviour in 2005.

District Judge Tan Boon Heng said Perera had inflicted on the victim both verbal and physical abuse and that his attacks were completely unprovoked. He added that it was fortunate the taxi driver did not suffer any serious injuries or the sentence would have been stiffer.

The judge allowed him to start his sentence on Sept 11 to make care arrangements for his father who is suffering from a stroke.

The maximum penalty for causing hurt is two years' jail and a $5,000 fine.