Fatal Geylang Road fight: Man sentenced to more than 6 years’ jail and 12 strokes

SINGAPORE - The 41-year-old man who was involved in a fatal fight in a back alley in Geylang was sentenced to six years and 10 months’ jail and 12 strokes of the cane on April 24.

He had gotten into a fight with 67-year-old Sivarajoo Pitchay Pillai, who later died of his injuries.

Zubir Mohamed pleaded guilty to four charges, including voluntarily causing grievous hurt, using abusive words against a public service worker, and two counts of theft.

The court heard that Zubir and his wife had gone to the back alley of 669 Geylang Road on the afternoon of Aug 3, 2024, to purchase illicit medications.

Pretending it was his and his wife’s birthday, Zubir spoke to a person identified as Tan in court documents and asked for free cough syrup or pills.

When Tan refused, Zubir asked Mr Sivarajoo to give him a treat. The latter handed $20 to Zubir, who used the money to purchase a bottle of cough syrup from Tan.

The two men later began talking about some tablets Mr Sivarajoo had in his possession.

Mr Sivarajoo later realised that some of his pills were missing after Zubir touched his pocket.

When he confronted Zubir, the latter denied stealing the tablets and hurled vulgarities at him.

Amid the confrontation, Zubir pushed Mr Sivarajoo, who was standing with the support of a walking stick, causing him to fall to the ground.

Despite being held back by his wife, Zubir tried to punch Mr Sivarajoo’s face and attempted to snatch his walking stick. CCTV footage of the incident showed Zubir pushing the older man several times, and punching him in the face.

Tan, who witnessed the commotion, told Zubir to stop and leave. He also helped Mr Sivarajoo onto a plastic chair to rest. By then, the older man’s eyes were red and he was bleeding from his nose and mouth.

Another passer-by called the police.

Minutes later, Zubir returned to the back alley, where Mr Sivarajoo was walking around.

As they began arguing again, Zubir pushed Mr Sivarajoo on the ground once more, causing him to fall and hit his head.

According to Tan, blood was coming out from Mr Sivarajoo’s nose, mouth and ears.

He was taken to Changi General Hospital on the same day, and was found to have suffered a brain haemorrhage and a skull fracture.

Doctors told the older man’s family that he would likely remain in a vegetative state.

He underwent brain surgery on Aug 3, 2024, but began developing seizures on Aug 6, 2024. Sivarajoo’s family decided to remove his ventilation, and he died on Aug 19, 2024.

On Aug 3, 2024, Zubir and his wife lodged a false police report against Mr Sivarajoo, claiming he had offered to sell them ketamine.

The couple claimed he became violent when they refused his offer but that they did not retaliate.

During investigations, Zubir maintained his lie, and later claimed he could not remember what happened. He admitted to attacking Mr Sivarajoo only after he was shown the CCTV footage.

Other offences

On April 24, the court also dealt with several other offences Zubir had committed.

On Aug 2, 2024, he stole an electronic bicycle outside a salon in Geylang Road, despite his wife telling him not to do so.

In July 2024, he stole several items including cash cards, a wallet and cash from a car parked at an open-air carpark in Bedok North.

On May 7, 2024, he punched a male student nurse at the Singapore General Hospital, after the latter tried to help him call the staff at the visitor registration counter.

He also hurled vulgarities at an auxiliary officer who attended to the altercation.

Noting that Zubir had been released from prison only months before he committed these offences, Deputy Public Prosecutor Quek Lu Yi called Zubir a “recalcitrant, serial offender”.

She said: “His acts of causing hurt escalated to the present violent assault with the accused raining punches on and forcefully pushing the aged, vulnerable deceased, ultimately causing his death.”

In mitigation, Zubir, who was unrepresented, said: “I feel very guilty about what happened to the deceased, and I will never forget this incident. I truly apologise to his family.”

Principal District Judge Toh Yung Cheong said in sentencing that Zubir was fully aware that he was assaulting an elderly person.

He noted that Zubir had an “extensive criminal history”, which included multiple convictions for causing hurt, which was an aggravating factor that required a greater need for deterrence.

For voluntarily causing grievous hurt, an offender can be jailed for up to 10 years, fined or caned.

An offender convicted of using abusive words towards a public service worker can be fined up to $5,000, jailed up to 12 months, or both.

Those convicted of theft can be jailed for up to three years, fined, or both.