Businessman appealing against one month's jail sentence for road rage

A businessman who punched a technician in a road rage case was sentenced to one month's jail on Friday.

But Edwin Jaykumar Samuel, 38, is appealing against the sentence. Bail of $15,000 was allowed pending appeal.

He admitted to punching Mr Peh Boon Hoe, 58, twice on the face along Jurong East Street 21 at about 6.30pm on July 31, 2011.

The court heard that Mr Peh was driving his company lorry along Jurong East Central and turning left into Jurong East Street 21 when Samuel also made the turn into the road from the opposite direction. He did so at a fast speed and sounded his horn all the way while making the turn.

He drove past the victim, switched into his lane, slowed down and subsequently stopped.

The victim also stopped his lorry behind Samuel's car.

Both parties alighted. A dispute ensued when Samuel alleged that the victim did not give way to him when he was making the turn into Jurong East Street 21. Mr Peh denied this.

Samuel then punched him twice on the face.

After two men had separated them, Samuel walked back to his car but Mr Peh stepped infront of the car and sat on the road to stop him from driving off.

On seeing this, Samuel alighted and violently pushed the victim aside, causing him to fall onto the road. Samuel got back into his car and drove away.

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

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