SINGAPORE - Unhappy after his sister questioned him for coming home drunk, a 53-year-old jobless man brutally slashed her husband with a chopper while he was in bed.
The victim had multiple cuts to his face, neck and arm, and had part of his ear came off.
The attack left permanent facial scars.
On Friday (March 11), Lim Chin Poh was jailed for 3½ years after he pleaded guilty to causing grievous hurt.
A district court heard that at about 10pm on Sept 22, 2015, Lim returned home after drinking with friends at Changi Village.
About 15 minutes later, his sister, Ms Lim Lian Choo, 48, a hairdresser, went to his bedroom to ask why he was shouting.
Lim, who has previous convictions for robbery, said he was drunk and did not want to be bothered. He became angry when his sister questioned him further, and took a chopper with a 20cm blade from the kitchen.
He then went into her bedroom and started slashing his brother-in-law Lee Kiat Seng, 50, a taxi driver, who was lying on the bed.
Mr Lee and his wife managed to restrain the attacker after a while.
A neighbour, who heard the commotion, called the police at about 10.45pm.
Mr Lee was taken to hospital, where he was warded for seven days. He was given a total of 24 days of medical leave.
Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Dwayne Lum asked for 3½ years' jail, noting that the assault was "vicious" and unprovoked. Lim was angry with his sister, and not with the victim. The DPP said Lim's sister and brother-in-law had allowed him to stay with their family, but instead of repaying their kindness, he caused immense pain and suffering to their family.
In mitigation, Lim's lawyer Michael Chang asked for mercy, saying that his client has financial difficulties and was discharged from hospital in August 2015 for a heart condition. Lim has blocked arteries and high blood pressure.
The maximum punishment for causing grievous hurt is 15 years' jail, a fine and caning. Those above 50 cannot be caned.
Lim was convicted of robbery with hurt in 1986, armed robbery in 1993, and snatch theft in 2011.
