A TIGER Airways executive was given a 12-month conditional discharge on Monday for grabbing a taxi driver's neck.

David William Barker, 58, pleaded guilty to using criminal force on Mr Phua Kok Khoon, 35, inside the cab along Tanjong Pagar on May 8 last year.

The head of group engineering and fleet planning of Tiger Aviation has apologised to Mr Phua and has compensated him $1,500, according to his lawyer Chia Boon Teck.

The court heard that Barker and his friend, Mr Thomas Peterson, 55, had got into Mr Phua's cab immediately after two others had alighted.

Barker sat behind while Mr Peterson, who was seated next to the driver, told the cabby to take them to East Coast.

Mr Phua then told him his taxi was not for hire as he was ending his shift and not taking any more passengers.

On hearing this, Barker got upset and threatened to make a complaint to the taxi company.

In the midst of an argument, Barker grabbed the neck of Mr Phua, who struggled. Barker then released his grip.

Meanwhile, one of the passengers who had alighted earlier saw what had happened and came over to help.

Mr Peterson told Barker to get off and try to get another cab.

When Barker realised Mr Phua had called the police, he waited for the police.

Pleading for a conditional discharge, Mr Chia said what his client had done was totally out of character. Barker was deeply remorseful for the unnecessary physical contact, he said.

The lawyer tendered three letters, including his client's boss, Mr Tony Davis, attesting to Barker's character.

District Judge James Leong, who granted the conditional discharge, told Barker that he would be brought back to be sentenced for the original offence should he commit another offence during the period.

The maximum penalty for the offence is up to three months' jail and a fine of up to $1,500.