SINGAPORE - A 56-year-old man was charged in court on Wednesday (Jan 6) with assaulting an officer from the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).

Tan Seng Choon is accused of slapping Ms Lim Sock Ling, 34, once and punching her several times on the face at MSF's Social Service Office at Lorong 6 Toa Payoh on Nov 6 last year.

Tan, who had gone there to seek financial aid, indicated that he wished to plead guilty. He was not represented. He will return to court on Jan 20.

If convicted of causing hurt to the public officer to deter her from discharging her duty, he could be jailed for up to seven years and fined.