A MAN who punched a cabby was jailed for three weeks on Thursday.

Khairul Shah A. Abrahim, 26, was with another man, Sheikh Yamani Abdul Kathir, 28, when he caused hurt to Mr Lim Kwee Leng, 40, at South Bridge Road on Feb 7 last year. He pleaded guilty.

The two men had flagged down Mr Lim's cab along the road early that day.

The cabby told them he was going to the Hougang area. They hopped in. But the two changed their minds once inside and directed the driver to go to Serangoon instead.

Mr Lim refused and a verbal argument ensued. He decided to stop his taxi to let the duo out.

Yamani then rushed towards the cabby but was pulled by back Khairul.

During the dispute, Khairul turned hostile and threw two punches at the cabby's face.

The assault stopped after a couple intervened and the police were called.

Yamani, whose case is pending, will be back in court on June 25.

Khairul could have been jailed for up two years and/or fined up to $5,000 for voluntarily causing hurt.