SINGAPORE - Angry that a welfare officer had confiscated his friend's cigarettes and tobacco, a resident at a welfare home threatened to kill the officer. In his rage, he also caused damage to property amounting to over $20,000, a court heard on Friday (Nov 4).
Shukor Ali, 43, who also attacked a healthcare assistant, was jailed for 20 months for the three offences at Jenaris Home at Pelangi Village, Buangkok Green, on Aug 1, 2016.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Claire Poh said that Shukor and another resident, Dawood Mohamed Said, had smoked in the toilet that evening before going back to one of the dormitory rooms.
Welfare officer Lim Boon Chye, 43, and healthcare assistant Sesathpura Dawage Chaminda Sampath Kumara, 28, had been alerted that residents had been smoking in the toilet.
During a spot check, Mr Lim found cigarettes and hand-rolled tobacco in Dawood's bag and confiscated them. This angered Shukor.
He subsequently went to the ground floor office and verbally abused Mr Loh and picked up a floor blower and later, a flower pot and threw these objects against the glass door several times. Shukor also punched Mr Chaminda on his cheek.
DPP Poh said six other staff of the home hid away from him, fearing for their safety.
He also struck the door with other objects and continued to shout and threaten Mr Loh who called the police.
The court heard that Shukor had also smashed three flower pots, and threw some shards and damaged the home two television sets.
Shukor turned on a fire hose and sprayed water all over, damaging the home's fire alarm system and the IT server in the office.The total damage caused was $21,750.
Pleading for leniency, Shukor, who was not represented, said he was sorry for what he had done.
District Judge Low Wee Ping said he was glad that Shukor had, at the outset, expressed remorse. He said healthcare workers, whether in homes, hospitals or polyclinics, should also be regarded as vulnerable victims, more so than transport workers.
He backdated Shukor's sentence to Aug 3.
Shukor could have been jailed for up to two years and/or fined for mischief. For criminal intimidation, he could have been jailed for at least seven years; and for causing hurt, up to two years and/or fined up to $5,000.
