Man jailed for threatening neighbour with chopper

An unemployed man who was unhappy with his neighbour for taking back his dog was jailed for two weeks on Monday for criminal intimidation. -- PHOTO: ST GRAPHICS  
An unemployed man who was unhappy with his neighbour for taking back his dog was jailed for two weeks on Monday for criminal intimidation. -- PHOTO: ST GRAPHICS  

SINGAPORE - An unemployed man who was unhappy with his neighbour for taking back his dog was jailed for two weeks on Monday for criminal intimidation.

Ng Siang Hai, 24, pleaded guilty to threatening deliveryman Subramaniam Muruganantham, 46, by raising a chopper in his direction along the common corridor outside his unit at Block 742 Yishun Avenue 5 on Jan 14 this year.

The court heard that Ng approached Mr Subramaniam's nephew along the common corridor that evening and asked if he could see the victim's dog.

The victim's brother-in-law had given Ng a dog, and Ng had trimmed its fur.

Two days later, the victim took the dog back, causing Ng to be unhappy.

On Jan 14, after Ng had requested to see the dog, Mr Subramaniam came out and angrily asked Ng why. Ng said he just wanted to play with it but the victim refused.

Both had an argument. Ng became angry and returned to his flat to get a chopper which he used to confront the victim, asking why he was giving him "attitude problem'' when all he wanted was to see the dog.

Ng's friend told him not to use the chopper and took the weapon from him. Ng and Mr Subramaniam then proceeded to the lift landing where their altercation progressed into a physical struggle. Police came not long after and arrested Ng.

Ng could have been jailed for up to two years and/or fined for criminal intimidation.

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