SINGAPORE - A man was jailed for 15 months on Monday after he was convicted of two counts of assault.

Zamzam Ismail,46, admitted to punching Said Jeffry Said Abdullah, 33, in the face multiple times, kicking him and stepping on his head two or three times at the hard court near Block 256 Bukit Batok East Avenue 4.

The court heard that on April 13 this year, a dispute broke out between Said Jeffry and Zamzam, together with the co-accused, Mohammad Rosli Abdul Rahim, 44. Zamzam punched and kicked the victim. When the victim fell, Rosli stepped hard on the victim's head about two to three times. Said Jeffry suffered a left black eye and facial swelling.

Zamzam also admitted to causing grievous hurt to Madam Peh Chu Tey, 61, at a shop in Jurong West Avenue 1 in January this year. Madam Peh, who works at Baker Talent, was closing the shop at about 11pm on Jan 26 when she saw Zamzam looking at her from shop exterior.

He suddenly rushed into the shop and punched her face. She was thrown back against the wall as a result of the attack. He punched her again and left leaving her with a right eye fracture.

Noting that the attack on Madam Peh was unprovoked, District Judge Toh Yung Cheong said the sentence had to reflect the seriousness of Zamzam's offence to protect the public.

Zamzam, whose sentence was backdated to April 15, has previous convictions for criminal trespass, theft, theft in dwelling and mischief by killing a cat.

He could have been jailed for up to 10 years, fined or caned on the grievous hurt charge.