A taxi driver who caused grievous hurt to an acquaintance was jailed for 12 months and ordered to be given three strokes of the cane on Tuesday. Lim Boon Inn, 41, pleaded guilty to punching Mr Siah Teng Hock, 40, on the head and left ribcage which resulted in a broken rib at a coffeeshop at Block 555 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 on June 16 last year.

A district court heard that the victim and his friends were drinking alcohol at the outdoor seating area of the coffeeshop while Lim and his brother were also drinking at an adjacent table.

Later Lim stood up and started scolding the Mr Siah who then stood up. Lim then challenged Mr Siah to proceed to the back to settle their differences but he refused. Lim then walked over to the victim and smashed a beer bottle on the victim's head.

Mr Siah bled heavily and slumped on the ground. Lim's brother separated him from the victim. When the victim picked himself up and staggered into the coffeeshop to clean his wound, Lim threw a punch on the victim's head from behind. The punch sent the victim sprawling. Lim then punched the victim on the left ribcage. The brother then separated the duo. Mr Siah was warded in hospital overnight and given a week's hospitalisation leave. A second charge of causing hurt with a beer bottle was considered. He could have been jailed for up to 10 years and liable to fine or to caning for causing grievous hurt.