SINGAPORE - A man who slapped a motorist on his face repeatedly over a parking space incident was fined $1,500 on Wednesday (Feb 3) for causing hurt.

Technical support officer Cho Chee Onn, 56, admitted slapping Mr Oei Tsong Mian, 46, repeatedly, causing the self-employed victim to suffer superficial abrasions at the carpark at Block 52, Chin Swee Road, on Jan 31, 2015.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Sarah Shi told the court that Mr Oei was at the Chin Swee Road carpark looking for a place to park that evening.

Cho had parked his motorcycle in a space meant for cars. He was still on the motorcycle when Mr Oei saw the space and reversed his car slowly into it.

When he could not reverse any further, he got out of his car and asked Cho to move his motorcycle as the space he was parked in was meant for cars.

Cho became aggressive and shouted at Mr Oei: "I do not like people talking to me like this." He then slapped Mr Oei on his face repeatedly. Mr Oei did not fight back and tried to reason with Cho.

A 50-year-old Singaporean man was there and saw the entire incident. He intervened by holding the motorcycle down when he saw Cho trying to get on the machine to flee. Police were called and arrived shortly after.

Cho's lawyer Foo Ho Chew said in mitigation that what his client did was totally out of character as he is a calm and level-headed person, and respected at work.

He said Cho was mentally and emotionally troubled at the time as his wife of 25 years had divorced him and his son chose to move out of the house. He had also lost his job of many years, he added.

Mr Foo said Cho deeply regretted his action and had compensated the victim for his medical expenses.

The maximum punishment for the offence is two years' jail and a $5,000 fine.