Lee Lam Huat, 38, a former operations manager, had been warned not to approach or speak to the victim when he was freed on bail last August but he continued to contact her.

On March 1, he was at the 41-year-old woman's home when he threw a mobile phone at her and hit her on the collarbone during a dispute.

On Tuesday, he was sent to jail for 15 months after pleading guilty to outraging her modesty and three charges of causing hurt.

The court heard that earlier on July 10, the couple were in a car when an argument started. He punched the woman on the left side of her face, elbowed her back and slammed her head against the steering wheel, causing blood to spurt out of the victim's left ear.

Then on Aug 21 when he was taking her to her office, they again argued in the car. On reaching her office, he refused to let her get out of the car and drove to a secluded spot on Sime Road where he slapped her, pulled her hair, slammed her head on the car seat a few times and hit her back with his left elbow.

He then tried to tear off her dress and bra. When he failed to do so, he lifted her skirt and pulled down her underwear, causing it to tear.

Three other causing hurt charges were taken into consideration.

Lee, who has a previous conviction for causing hurt and criminal intimidation, could have been jailed for up to two years or fined or caned or a combination of the punishments for outrage of modesty.

For causing hurt, he could have been jailed for up to two years and/or fined up to $5,000 on each charge.