An unemployed man who attacked his friend with a pair of scissors after suspecting him of trying to steal from him was jailed for five months on Friday.

Chua How Hian, 34, admitted to stabbing Mr Yong Wee Kai 32, unemployed, on his head, nose and back at a second-hand mobile phone shop in Geylang Road on June 3 this year.

A district court heard that the victim bumped into Chua near Lorong 17 Geylang at about 5.30am that day. Subsequently, they went to the mobile phone shop. According to the victim, he saw that Chua's black sling bag was unzipped, and reached over to zip it up. Chua felt someone touching his bag, and confronted the victim about it. A dispute broke out between the two as a result.

He took a pair of scissors from the display counter table and charged at the victim, stabbing him several times at his head and back area. Chua also threw punches at the victim, and head-butted him several times. The incident was caught on CCTV. The victim then ran out of the shop. Chua pursued him. The pair continued scuffling outside until Chua left in a taxi for home. Mr Yong had cuts on his nose, back and head as well as bruises.

Chua said he had been drinking and did not want to start a fight. The father of one said he was angry with the victim who should not have opened his bag to take a look. He was also under a lot of stress due to his marital problems. His lawyer Foo Ho Chew said his client could be having some disorder. Chua, he added, had been glue sniffing for eight years since he was 12. He was remorseful and admitted that he over-reacted that morning. Chua, who has two violence-related records, could have been jailed for up to seven years, fined or caned or received any of the punishments.