Biker fined $1,500 for slapping motorist

A biker who parked in a space meant for cars slapped a motorist in the face repeatedly after the motorist told him to move his motorcycle.

Technical support officer Cho Chee Onn, 56, was fined $1,500 yesterday after admitting to hurting Mr Oei Tsong Kian, 46, in the carpark at Block 62, Chin Swee Road, on Jan 31 last year.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Sarah Shi told the court that Mr Oei, who is self-employed, was looking for a space that evening when he reversed his car into the spot where Cho was still on his bike.

Mr Oei reversed his car slowly into it until he could not reverse any further, then got out and asked Cho to move as the space he was parked in was meant for cars.

Cho became aggressive and shouted: "I do not like people talking to me like this."

He then slapped Mr Oei in the face repeatedly. Mr Oei did not fight back and tried to reason with Cho.

A 50-year-old man who witnessed the incident intervened by holding the motorcycle down when he saw Cho trying to get on it to flee.

Police were called and arrived shortly afterwards.

Cho's lawyer, Mr Foo Ho Chew, said in mitigation that the assault was totally out of character as his client is "usually a very patient and calm individual''.

He said Cho was "mentally and emotionally troubled" at the time as his wife of 25 years had divorced him and his son chose to move out of the home. He had also lost his managerial job of many years.

Mr Foo said on that day, Cho was taking directions to a venue to attend a meeting and was already late.

"That caused him some anxiety. When the victim approached him, he could not understand why the victim could not take another parking lot that was available," he said.

He added that his client deeply regretted his action and had compensated the victim for his medical expenses.

The maximum punishment for voluntarily causing hurt is two years' jail and a $5,000 fine.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 04, 2016, with the headline Biker fined $1,500 for slapping motorist. Subscribe