SINGAPORE - A cleaner was jailed for a total of two years and seven months on Tuesday for failing to report for urine tests and attacking a friend with a metal chair and beer bottle.

P. Rajenthirun, 50, pleaded guilty to striking Mr Silvendran Saminathan, 50, a part-time dishwasher, on the head with a stool and beer bottle at the latter's home in Marsiling Road on March 4 this year.

He also admitted to two of three charges of failing to report for urine tests in August and September last year when he was under a two-year supervision order.

A district court heard before the March 4 incident, Rajenthirun and co-accused Chanderan Mariyappan, 56, had quarrelled with the victim.

Rajenthirun was having a heated argument with the victim at the latter's flat that day when Chanderan came and punched the victim once on the chest. Rajenthirun then hurled a plastic chair towards the victim which missed.

The victim ran into the toilet, but the duo kept hitting the toilet door which eventually gave way.

Rajenthirun then used a metal stool and a beer bottle to hit the victim on his head, causing him to fall to the floor. Chanderan then encouraged Rajenthirun to kick the victim, which he did a few times on his ribcage.

The victim, who had cuts on his head, face and upper back and a bruise on the scalp, was warded for three days and given hospitalisation leave for one month.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Rajiv Rai said Rajenthirun, who had a similar conviction in 1988 for causing hurt by dangerous weapon, told the court the attack took place on a vulnerable part of the victim's body and at his own home.

Rajenthirun has convictions for theft, drug consumption and failing to report for urine test. Chanderan was convicted in June for causing hurt and committing a rash act and was jailed a total of 10 weeks.

The maximum penalty for causing hurt with a weapon of offence is seven years' jail, fine and caning. For failing to report for urine test, the maximum punishment is four years' jail and a $10,000 per charge.