Little India riot: Man given 14 months in jail for rioting

SINGAPORE - Construction worker Malesan Chinnathambi was sentenced to 14 months in jail on Tuesday, after pleading guilty to rioting in last December's Little India riot. The Indian national, 23, was the 21st person to be dealt with over the unrest.

The court heard that Malesan, whose dormitory was in the area, had arrived at the Little India MRT station at 10.15pm that night after meeting a friend elsewhere earlier.

He exited the station onto Race Course Road, where he saw the riot unfolding.

Malesan was handed a piece of concrete, which he threw in the direction of the bus at the centre of the riot. He also took pictures of the bus with his phone camera to show to roommates.

Malesan was heading back to his dormitory when he was stopped and arrested near the MRT station.

The maximum penalty for rioting is jail of seven years and caning.

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