SINGAPORE - An odd-job worker punched a woman traffic warden twice on the forehead after she had booked hisfriend for illegal parking.

Abdullah Sani Ali Moonshi, 53, a Singapore permanent resident, was jailed for 15 weeks on Tuesday (Jan 30) for punching Ms Kalidevi Wing Desan, 25, a Certis Cisco enforcement officer, on May 17 last year. She has since left her job.

Ms Kalidevi was patrolling a backlane of Jalan Pinang that day, when Abdullah Sani recognised her as the officer who had earlier issued a parking ticket to his friend for parking his motorcycle illegally.

He asked her to follow him to the spot where his friend's motorcycle was parked and punched her on the forehead while she was doing so. He then punched her again while she tried to avoid him, a district court heard.

When Ms Kalidevi called the police, Abdullah Sani verbally abused her and left.

Ms Kalideviwas treated for a bruise on her head and given three days' medical leave.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Zhuo Wenzhao asked fora sentence of at least four months' jail, while Abdullah Sani's lawyer Randhir Gupta urged the court not to impose more than about three months' jail.

District Judge Lorraine Ho leaned towards a tougher sentence as the victim was a woman officer and Abdullah Sani was much bigger and stronger than her.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority and Certis Cisco said in a joint statement that patrolling officers perform a public duty to ensure that motorists comply with parking regulations.

"They deserve due respect and a safe working environment. We will not hesitate to report any form of abusive behaviour towards them, and such abusers will be dealt with accordingly by the law," it said.

Abdullah Sani could have been jailed for up to seven years, fined, caned or received any combined punishment.