SINGAPORE - A delivery man grabbed a security guard by the neck in a row over where he had parked.

Sundar Chandara Segaran, 29, was fined the maximum $5,000 on Thursday (Feb 1) for causing hurt to Ms Vijaya Sereeramaloo at Residences @ Evelyn, a condominium in Newton, on Feb 7 last year.

Ms Viyaya, 31, had told Sundar via an intercom not to use the basement carpark meant for residents, and even warned him that his vehicle could be clamped.

He had earlier ignored her colleague's instructions to park at the waiting area near the guard house and drove into the basement carpark instead.

After making his delivery, he went to look for the guard who had spoken to him on the intercom and an argument ensued in which he verbally abused her.

When he heard Ms Vijaya's retort that he was "lucky I never clamp", he turned back and forcefully grabbed her neck, choking her.

Ms Viyaja's colleague, Mr Jeffrey Richard Gilbert, 50, pushed Sundar away, causing him to pull on Ms Viyaja's uniform, resulting in the first two buttons coming off.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Esther Tang had sought a jail sentence for Sundar, saying security guards ought to be afforded greater protection. She also said the attack was entirely unprovoked.

Urging the court for a fine, Sundar's lawyer Rajan Supramaniam said his client acted on impulse without thinking of the consequences.

Sundar, who now works for his father's vehicle recovery company, is of good character, regretful and remorseful for his action, he said.

District Judge Sarah Tan noted that Sundar had further escalated the situation after his deliveries. She said he had been "belligerent".

Sundar could have been jailed for up to two years and/or fined up to $5,000.