SINGAPORE – A man who used a samurai sword to slash a pedestrian and hit passing cars near Buangkok Square mall was on Tuesday sentenced to 18 months’ jail and six strokes of the cane.

Fadhil Yusop, 38, cut Mr Kumarapeli Arachchige Amila Chinthana three times with the sword at around 2pm on March 14, 2022. The victim suffered lacerations on his left arm and shoulder.

Fadhil also swung the weapon at passing cars at a traffic junction in front of the mall, damaging the vehicles.

On Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to one charge each of committing a rash act that endangers life, possessing an offensive weapon and voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons. Two other charges were taken into consideration in his sentencing.

The police said earlier that Fadhil had allegedly consumed some unknown pills before leaving his home with a 63cm-long sword. He had a brief altercation with a few members of the public at the lift lobby of the Housing Board block where he resided.

He then jaywalked across Buangkok Crescent, stood in the middle of the road and used his weapon to hit four passing cars, the court heard. Repairs of the damaged vehicles cost more than $2,400.

Mr Chinthana, who was on his way home from grocery shopping at the time, was nearby waiting for the traffic lights to turn in his favour. He took his phone out and started to record Fadhil’s actions.

Fadhil approached the man and slashed him with the sword. Both men fell to the ground during the attack. Passers-by who saw the commotion rushed forward to restrain Fadhil until the police arrived. The police raided his home later and found two packets of yellow pills there.

Mr Chinthana received treatment and was given three days of medical leave for his injuries. The treatment cost him $110.

Seeking 18 to 24 months’ jail and six strokes of the cane, Deputy Public Prosecutor Daniel Ling said Fadhil was holding the sword in public for a long time.

He added that Fadhil had previous convictions for offences including criminal intimidation and voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from carrying out his duty. 

In mitigation, defence lawyer Anand Nalachandran from Forte Law said that his client intends to make restitution for the damage caused upon his release from prison. “He accepts that he made a mistake in consuming substances and the reaction they had on him was not what he expected,” said Mr Anand.