SINGAPORE - A Canadian man who threw his bicycle onto the bonnet of a car was fined $2,500 on Monday for mischief.
Jason Blair Unger, 40, an academic consultant, admitted to the offence, which caused dents and scratches on the bonnet of Mr Woo Wing Onn's Honda Civic car along Selegie Road sometime before 9.52pm on Oct 17 last year.
The court heard that Unger was riding his Brompton bicycle along the left of the five-lane carriageway when he switched to the fourth as he was not turning left into MacKenzie Road.
Mr Woo, who was in the car with his wife, was trying to switch from the third to the fifth lane when he was blocked by a slow-moving taxi infront. Mr Woo was heard saying: "Hurry up la stupid taxi'' and "Alamak''.
Mr Woo then decided to filter back into the fourth lane. As he was doing so, Unger turned his head around to look at the car as he sensed that it was approaching close behind him. The cyclist continued pedalling faster along the fourth lane.
The taxi then switched on its right signal to filter into the fourth lane as there was a stationary lorry ahead. Mr Woo sounded the horn and was heard saying: "Stupid bicycle also another one''. His wife was heard telling him to "be careful''.
By this time, the car and the bicycle were very close.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Sanjna Rai said Unger turned around to look at the driver and gestured with his hand. When he stopped his bicycle, the car came into contact with it. Unger got down, lifted the bike and intentionally dropped it on the bonnet of the car.
When Unger asked Mr Woo why the latter was "hitting'' him and said he was on a bicycle and was "someone with a kid'', Mr Woo said "sorry''.
Mr Woo's wife came out and confronted Unger about the damage caused. Police were called.
The court heard Unger threw the bicycle onto the bonnet as he was frustrated and feared for his safety because of how close Mr Woo had been driving behind him.
Unger's lawyer Andy Chiok said his client, who teaches English at a private school, had been living in Singapore since 2010. He said his client felt that the car was tailgating him and the incident happened because he was apprehensive for his safety as a vulnerable cyclist.
Mr Chiok also said his client had been publicly shamed on Internet media after Mr Woo had deemed it fit to upload the video online on citizen journalism website Stomp.
Unger could have been jailed for up to two years and/or fined for causing damage of $500 or upwards. He has made full restitution of $2,219 to 48-year-old Mr Woo.
