SINGAPORE - A legal debt collector knocked on a 40-year-old man's door to collect a $120 debt. The man refused to pay - and even attacked the collector with a hand axe.

The victim, who ended up in hospital with deep cuts on his face and legs, required surgery and had to wear a leg brace for six weeks.

On Friday, Chong Chee Hiong, 40, admitted to hurting Mr Sandy Tan on Feb 13 outside his Woodlands Drive 44 flat with the axe, which he had kept behind his shoe cabinet for protection.

Chong, who is known to be a problem gambler, will be sentenced on Sept 18, after the court granted his request for time to settle personal matters.

For voluntarily causing hurt with a weapon, Chong could be jailed for up to seven years, caned, and fined.