SINGAPORE - A managing director in a multinational company grabbed the shoulder of a motorist and spat at him over an incident at the multi-storey carpark at shopping mall ION Orchard last year.

Swiss national Sudir Soorapa Raju, 42, who is on an employment pass, was given two days' jail on Wednesday (June 21) after he pleaded guilty to using criminal force on Mr Tay Wee Siang, 26, on Dec 4 last year.

He wants to appeal against sentence and was allowed bail of $15,000. His passport has been impounded.

Investigation showed that at about 4.30pm that day, Mr Tay was driving his car up to level 8 of ION Orchard multi-storey carpark. He did not notice Raju's approaching car when Mr Tay turned out from the junction, which resulted in a near collision.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Joshua Rene Jeyaraj said Mr Tay waved his hand to apologise to Raju and continued driving, before parking his car in a vehicle lot.

Raju stopped his car behind the victim's. He honked at the victim and dragged his horn.

He then came out of his car and confronted Mr Tay in an aggressive manner while shouting at the latter.

Raju then grabbed Mr Tay on the shoulder and spat once at his face. He abused him with vulgarities.

Mr Tay's girlfriend captured the incident on her camera phone while he called the police.

Pleading for a fine, Raju's lawyer T.M. Sinnadurai said his client was then under tremendous stress exerted by his Swiss wife's pregnancy. She has since delivered their third child.

He said the India-born double-degree holder was involved in various charities in Europe, such as one in the United Kingdom that focuses on alleviating the financial plight of underprivileged children who cannot afford tuition fees.

Raju could have been jailed for up to three months and/or fined up to $1,500 for using criminal force.