An unemployed man was sentenced to 12 months in jail on Tuesday for repeatedly slashing another with an ice pick.

Chng Kai Jie, 41, had assaulted his friend, Mr Low Hang Poh, 39, at the void deck of Block 552 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 on June 3 this year as he believed that the victim had stolen his mobile phone. He pleaded guilty.

Investigations showed that the victim was with his girlfriend that evening when he was approached by Chng at the void deck. All of a sudden, Chng took out an ice pick, wrapped in masking tape, and stabbed the victim on his left shoulder, and slashed him repeatedly. The victim managed to ward off the attack and ran off. He was treated for cuts on his shoulder and arm in hospital and discharged the next day.

Chng has previous convictions for drug-related offences, unlawful possession of an offensive weapon, affray and theft. Pleading for leniency, Chng said he was sorry and would never commit any offences again. His sentence was backdated to his remand on June 5. He could have been jailed for up to seven years, fined, caned or received any combination of the punishments.