SINGAPORE - A former distribution manager of an ice company, who bit off nearly half of a man's ear , was sentenced to 2-1/2 years' jail and three strokes of the cane on Friday (Dec 4).
Tan Wei Yong, 43, pleaded guilty to causing grievous hurt to Mr Teng Teng Yao , 34, at the Marina Barrage on Sept 15, 2013. He caused a traumatic partial amputation of and a permanent disfigurement of the victim's left ear.
Investigation showed that on Sept 14 that year, Mr Teng was involved in managing the Sundown Ultra Marathon event.
Staff from Mr Teng's company had told Tan to re-deliver the correct type of ice as he had delivered the wrong type. Tan was then working for Tuck Lee Ice, a supplier of ice cubes. Tan was not happy and quarreled with some of the staff.
The court heard that on Sept 15 when the marathon was over, Mr Teng came to say goodbye to the Tuck Lee staff. Tan then complained that Mr Teng's company had not cleared the ice in the ice boxes.
Mr Teng told him to complain about this to his own employer. This angered Tan, and a quarrel broke out.
Mr Teng told Tan again to refer the matter to his own employer but Tan threw a punch at Mr Teng, who pushed him away. Tan then grabbed Mr Teng by his shoulders and bit his left ear, severing part of it.
Mr Teng was taken to Singapore General Hospital together with the severed part of his ear in a bag of ice.
A medical report said that his left ear was permanently disfigured. Mr Teng spent about $8,200 on his medical expenses.
Tan had convictions for robbery, drug consumption and trafficking.
His lawyer Jonathan Wong said his client, who now runs his own logistics and transport services business, had a troubled past. He was not a violent person and had been gainfully employed in managerial positions after his release from prison in 2011.
He said Tan, who had paid compensation of $2,000 to Mr Teng, completely lost control of his temper and emotions when he committed the offence, and regretted what he had done.
Tan could have been jailed for up to 10 years, fined or caned.
