An unemployed man made his fiancee's cousin kneel to apologise to her for alleged sexual abuse and then assaulted him, causing him to suffer fractures.
Yesterday, the 27-year-old man, who now works as a tattoo artist, was sentenced to six months' jail and two strokes of the cane for grievously hurting the 23-year-old victim earlier this year. He was also ordered to pay $5,577 in compensation to the victim.
He had admitted elbowing the victim in his face and hitting and kicking his body, causing the victim to suffer fractures in the face area.
Two other charges of causing hurt, including using a lighted cigarette to burn the victim's ear and finger, were considered.
Investigation showed that the accused had first tried to reach the victim via Facebook on Feb 20 this year. When he received no reply, he contacted the victim two days later. He told the victim that he wanted him to apologise to his then 19-year-old fiancee - now his wife - for allegedly having had an incestuous relationship with her.
The accused threatened the victim, saying he would go to the police if the latter did not "settle" with him.
The court heard that the three met at the void deck of Block 549, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, at about 2.40am on Feb 22. The accused told the victim to kneel and apologise to the woman. He then kicked and punched him. He also smashed the victim's spectacles.
Thinking that the police had arrived, the accused then pulled the victim to the roadside. They took a cab to Block 501, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5, where the accused continued the assault by kneeing the victim in the ribs and elbowing him in the jaw three times.
District Judge Lim Tse Haw said the accused had committed a very serious offence. "There is no question in this case that exceptional violence has been inflicted...on the victim."
The judge said the attack was prolonged, vicious and sustained, and caning was appropriate, considering the violence involved.
The accused, represented by Mr Choo Si Sen, is out on $15,000 bail and will start his sentence in a week. He wants to spend time with his wife, who has just given birth.
The maximum punishment for the offence is 10 years' jail, plus a fine or caning.
