SINGAPORE - A former IT programmer had stormed out of a meeting with his supervisors about his conduct at work and imminent termination, to the office pantry.

Security officer Jeffrey Andrew Gomes, 67, was then instructed to escort Lin Zhijian, 50, back to the meeting room.

Lin became agitated when Mr Gomes said he needed to bring him back to the supervisors, and splashed the hot water from a mug he was holding on the security officer.

Lin, now unemployed, was jailed for three weeks on Friday (April 8) for committing the offence at ASM Technology at Yishun Avenue 7 on March 30 last year.

He had admitted to two charges of hurting the security officer and one on a second victim.

The hot water had landed on Mr Gomes' chest area and right side of his neck. When Mr Gomes tried to stop him, Lin hit him with the mug.

Mr Gomes sustained a burn and a small bruise on his left index finger.

Lin has a previous conviction in 2010 when he was given two weeks' jail for rash act and using criminal force.

His pro bono lawyer Diana Ngiam said in mitigation that Lin became agitated when told of his termination with immediate effect. He was also informed that he would not be entitled to his two months' pay from the notice period upon either resignation or termination.

She said it was always his intention to leave the company amicably.

Lin, she added, had no idea how hot the water was at the time, and he was very sorry.

District Judge Kamala Ponnampalam agreed with the prosecutor that there were aggravating factors including the fact that there were two victims involved. This was also not his first brush with the law, she said.

Lin could have been jailed for up to two years and/or fined up to $5,000 for causing hurt.