SINGAPORE - A 31-year-old man who punched and kicked a 15-year-old boy's face, fracturing his nasal bone, was jailed for 12 months on Wednesday (Dec 30).

Harvinder Singh Dhillon Balbir Singh, a driver, pleaded guilty to a charge of causing grievous hurt and a count of criminal trespass.

He also admitted to two counts of causing hurt, which were taken into consideration during sentencing.

A district court heard that on Aug 30 last year, Harvinder held his birthday celebration at a chalet at Goldkist Beach Resort in East Coast Parkway.

The boy, who is now 17, was at a separate chalet at the resort to celebrate his 21-year-old cousin's birthday, together with their family and friends. They cannot be named to protect the boy's identity, as he is a minor.

At about 3am the next day, a guest who was at the boy's party got into a dispute with three of Harvinder's friends outside the boy's chalet.

The guest, 27, was punched by two of Harvinder's friends - Mahesh Vejayan, 30, and Muhammad Azmi Abdullah, 26 - and also returned a punch.

The boy and his older sister, now 23, then walked over to apologise to Harvinder and his friends, and to mediate between the two groups.

While the boy was talking, however, Harvinder ran towards him with several unknown men.

He demanded to know who had injured Mahesh.

Harvinder then punched the boy on the nose, causing him to fall to the ground.

Some of the unknown men kicked the boy several times as he lay on the floor.

The boy and his sister managed to go back to their chalet and shut the rear door, but they did not lock it.

The group of men then entered through the door.

While the boy was sitting on the floor, Harvinder kicked the centre of his face and a few of the men kicked him.

Harvinder then picked up a broomstick to try to hit the boy, but a female friend stood in front of him to protect him.

Harvinder hit the woman, 25, on her ribs with the broomstick.

The men left the chalet after an older man entered and persuaded them to leave.

The boy was taken to hospital and found to have a broken nose and abrasions on his face.

He was given three days of medical leave.

For causing grievous hurt, Harvinder could have been jailed for up to 10 years and also fined or caned. The maximum penalty for criminal trespass is three months' jail and a $1,500 fine.

The cases for the other assailants who have been identified are before the courts.