SINGAPORE - A drunken insurance broker who punched a neighbour on the nose in a row over a cigarette lighter was fined $2,500 on Thursday.

Briton Kris Nathaniel John Francis Korosec, 35, pleaded guilty to hurting Mr Prateek Manchanda, 36, at Tower 1, The Sail @ Marina Bay, Marina Boulevard, on Aug 14, 2014.

A court heard that Mr Manchanda and a friend were going into the lift at Tower 1 at 2.30am that day when he noticed a drunken Korosec standing outside.

Korosec asked Mr Manchanda for a lighter but he said he did not have one.

But Korosec insisted that he give him a lighter and refused to let the lift door close.

Mr Manchanda left and went to the security counter to get help.

Korosec came and suddenly punched Mr Manchanda on the nose.

As the security officer did not intervene, and fearing that he would be punched again, the victim entered into a scuffle with Korosec and managed to pin him down until a security officer arrived.

Mr Manchanda suffered minor injuries.

Korosec's lawyer Amarjit Singh said it was a one-off incident, and the reason Korosec acted out of character was his intoxicated state.

Assistant Public Prosecutor Prakash Otharam, who sought a fine of $2,500 to $3,000, highlighted that Korosec's attack was unprovoked.

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