A man hit a young woman on the MRT with his umbrella because he was irritated with the noises she was making with her plastic cup.

Victor Michael Loo Lay Pin, 60, a freelance networking employee in the real estate industry, was jailed for two weeks yesterday for hitting Ms Lim Zhen Ping, 21, on her head, shoulder and hands with the black umbrella at Boon Lay MRT station on Dec 11 last year.

He pleaded guilty to the charge as well as to biting another commuter, Mr Sanjivpal Singh Ghasita Singh, 44, on the shoulder and spitting at him when Mr Singh stepped in to restrain Loo.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Shen Wanqin said Ms Lim, who had got on the train at Tanjong Pagar, heard Loo shouting as she got to Boon Lay MRT station just before 9pm that day.

As she was getting out, Loo suddenly swung his umbrella at her, hitting her. She shouted for help.

He continued to strike her with the 74cm-long umbrella until a few people held him back.

Loo claimed that he had assaulted Ms Lim because she was making noises with her plastic cup and he wanted to "teach her a lesson".

Ms Lim's mobile phone and watch were damaged.

After the incident, Loo struggled and spat at the people around him in order to escape.

Mr Singh was one of those who had stepped forward to help Ms Lim. He was escorting Loo in a lift when Loo became aggressive and turned to bite him on his right shoulder.

Other people in the lift tried to stop Loo and a struggle ensued. During the struggle, he tore Mr Singh's shirt and damaged his spectacles valued at $200. He also spat at Mr Singh and those who helped Ms Lim.

Loo could have been jailed for up to two years and/or fined up to $5,000 on each charge.

Elena Chong