SINGAPORE - A man was jailed 5 1/2 months on Thursday for slashing another man with a knife.

Nagasaravanan Uttamasegeran Pillai, 38, met Mr N. K. Lal at the carpark of Serangoon Plaza, a mall near Little India on June 27 last year. The duo have known each other for years. Mr Lal brought along his employee Mr Pannirchelvam Ramachandra, 47, along without to the meeting without informing Nagasaravanan.

A dispute ensued between the parties over Nagasaravanan's girlfriend, and the accused punched Mr Pannirchelvam, who then retaliated. Nagasaravanan then took out a knife and slashed him on his left forearm and right thigh. He left in his car and threw the knife into a dustbin opposite City Square Mall near Little India.

On Thursday, Nagasaravanan, who owns a construction business, pleaded guilty to voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means and was sentenced to 5 1/2 months in jail.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Marcus Foo asked the court for a sentence of about three months and said a deterrent sentence was needed, as the accused initiated the physical assault, and that the victim was a innocent party. He also noted that the offence took place in a public space.

In Nagasaravanan's mitigation plea, his defence lawyer S. S. Dhillon said that his client was "not the type of person who goes around looking for trouble". He added that Nagasaravanan "wanted to speak with Lal but the victim chose to interfere instead" which made him agitated and annoyed.

Mr Dhillon noted that the victim suffered only minor injuries, and his client had been forthcoming and cooperative with the authorities during investigations.

District Judge Imran Abdul Hamid said that he took into account that the victim "had some role to play" but Nagasaravanan's response was excessive, and that he turned violent first. He added that the victim's injuries were not "completely non-serious" as he had stitches.

Nagasaravanan will serve his sentence on April 30. He asked for a deferment to sort out his business affairs.