Pilot fined $5,000 and ordered to pay $110 to teen he punched

Briton Joshua Powell Koke could have been jailed for up to two years and/or fined up to $5,000 for causing hurt. PHOTO: ST GRAPHICS

SINGAPORE - A budget airline pilot was fined $5,000 on Monday for punching a teenage student on his nose and on the back of his head after a dispute.

Briton Joshua Powell Koke, 24, was also ordered to pay $110 compensation to the 18-year-old male victim.

He admitted to causing hurt to the victim at OneRaffles Place Building at about 3.30am on Sept 19 this year.

Koke had just finished a quarter bottle of vodka at 1-Altitude Bar at the building.

Investigations showed that the victim and his friends were blocking the path of Koke and his friend on the stairs while they were en route to taking the service lift.

The victim and his eight friends, including three women, were moving slowly due to the women wearing high heels.

Koke then verbally abused the group. A dispute ensured, and Koke confronted the victim aggressively.

The victim and his friends managed to disengage Koke and left the premises by taking a separate lift to the ground floor.

On the ground floor, Koke chancd upon the group again.

Spoiling for a fight, Koke took off his shirt and confronted the victim. He punched the victim on his nose, followed by another punch on the head when the victim was defenceless and bent over.

Koke's friend tried to restrain him, but to no avail.

Shortly after, Koke also pushed away one of the victim's friends who tried to intervene.

The victim sought treatment for his nose bleed at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. He was given a one day outpatient medical leave.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Clement Yong, who did not ask for a jail sentence, highlighted aggravating factors such as Koke's intoxication and that he was the aggressor.

Koke's lawyer Michael Lee said his client had apologised to the victim and his friends on the day itself. He also said Koke has been put to much mental distress as the proceedings have resulted in his potential termination by his employer Jetstar.

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

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