A man was jailed for four years on Wednesday for passing a folding knife to a friend who allegedly used it to murder a former prison mate in a coffeeshop brawl.

Jobless Kung Kwai Cheong, 55, had been part of a group that set upon Mr Gunasekaran Rengasamy, punching and kicking him in a Geylang Road coffeeshop in the early hours of Feb 13, 2012.

The fight was sparked when Kung's pal Jamsari Yusof arrived at a table where Kung was sat with Mr Gunasekaran and three other men. Jamsari accused Mr Gunasekaran of being "big-headed" while they were both serving time in prison.

Jamsari, Kung, Terrence Goh Chye Huat and Redzuan Pupon all laid into the unemployed 43-year-old when Kung passed the weapon to Jamsari, who allegedly used it to attack Mr Gunasekaran. Two hours later, he died of stab wounds to his chest and lung in Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

Kung pleaded guilty to abetting an offence of voluntarily causing grievous hurt.

Goh, 44, was jailed for 17 months last year for punching and kicking Mr Gunasekaran and having another person's identity card.

Redzuan 39, was convicted of causing hurt and jailed 15 months. Jamsari, 51, is facing a murder charge and his case has not been heard yet.