Man jailed three weeks for punching his former boxing coach

A man who punched his former boxing coach multiple times in the face was jailed for three weeks on Tuesday (July 19). PHOTO: ST GRAPHICS

SINGAPORE - A man who punched his former boxing coach multiple times in the face was jailed for three weeks on Tuesday (July 19).

Shri Sham Sudandiran, 28, had admitted to hurting Mr Srikand Subramaniam at the carpark outside Bedok Stadium on April 8 last year. He was originally charged with causing grievous hurt.

The court heard that both Sham and Mr Srikand, 48, were helping to distribute boxing gloves at the Sijori (Singapore Johore Riau) Invitational Boxing Championship 2015 at Bedok Stadium that day when they had a dispute.

Sham told boxing coach Thangavelu Balasundram he had a problem with Mr Srikand.

Both Sham and Mr Srikand left the stadium separately.

A private nurse was with Mr Srikand outside when Sham suddenly came from behind the pair and punched Mr Srikand once on the left cheek shouting: "Why did you scold my mum? Why did you scold my mum?"

The nurse separated them and led them away from the stadium.

As Sham and Mr Srikand were walking in the public carpark, Sham punched the victim multiple times in the face. Mr Srikand fought back with a few blows on Sham's face. The pair were again separated.

Mr Srikand sought medical treatment at Changi General Hospital. Among his injuries were a swelling of the left cheek, a missing tooth and fractures near his left eye and cheek.

Sham was also treated for injuries on his face.

Defence lawyer Foo Ho Chew said Sham, who recently started a fruit import and export business in Thailand, had a very underprivileged background when he was young. His father died when he was 13 and he was physically abused by his two older brothers.

He said his client had politely told Mr Srikand that day not to mess up the gloves he (Sham) had put in place. But Mr Srikand retorted very rudely and hurled vulgarities at him, as well as using insulting words against his client's mother. His client pleaded for Mr Srikand to stop, and the latter challenged him to a fight at the carpark.

Sham, who had convictions for affray, disorderly behaviour and using criminal force on a public servant, could have been jailed for up to two years and fined up to $5,000 for causing hurt.

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.