A MOTORCYCLIST who punched a fellow rider and hit him with his helmet in a roadside row over a dropped water bottle was jailed for four weeks yesterday.
Technician Muhammad Afi Hamdan, 24, was riding along the East Coast Parkway on Jan 17 when he dropped a bottle he was trying to pass to his girlfriend, who was riding pillion.
It landed in the path of Tan Chai Yong, 40, who had been riding behind him. Tan, a salesman, accelerated to get alongside Muhammad Afi and questioned him.
Both motorcyclists then stopped on the road shoulder and the confrontation turned into a fight when Tan slapped Muhammad Afi.
Retaliating, Muhammad Afi swung his helmet at Tan with both arms, hitting him in the face. Both went on to shove each other before Muhammad Afi punched Tan in the face.
Tan then backed off and threatened to call the police, who had already been alerted to the fight by a passing motorist. Officers arrived shortly after and arrested both men.
Tan was treated at Changi General Hospital for a facial fracture around his left eye. He was also left with double vision.
While Tan's provocation was taken into consideration, Deputy Public Prosecutor Star Chen Xinhui said Muhammad Afi's action was an "excessive retaliatory" one. She added that motorists who behave in this manner "should expect to be imprisoned".
Tan has also been charged over his actions. Muhammad Afi faced one charge of voluntarily causing hurt, which he admitted to.
He could have been jailed for up to two years and fined a maximum of $5,000.
