Tan Pheck Hoon, 50, was jailed six months yesterday for causing a 1cm laceration on the upper right abdomen of her friend, Ms Tan Lee Ngoh, 31, on June 9.

That afternoon, Pheck Hoon had invited Ms Tan over to her Sin Ming Industrial Estate flat. There, she told Ms Tan she wanted to commit suicide and grabbed a knife from a box. While trying to stop her, Ms Tan held Pheck Hoon's hands and a scuffle ensued. Ms Tan was cut during the struggle and called the police. She was taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital where her wound was stitched.

The court heard that Pheck Hoon suffered from mild depression and had previous convictions for drug consumption and theft.

Her husband, who was present in court, agreed to take her for treatment once she is released from prison. She could have been jailed for up to two years or fined up to $5,000, or both.

SUJIN THOMAS