An excavation operator was jailed for seven weeks and ordered to pay compensation of $2,140 for breaking the glass panels of notice boards at bus stops. Aw Chye Hock, 52, admitted to three counts of mischief at bus stops along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8 and Yishun on Dec 25 last year.

He was given a maximum fine of $5,000 on a fourth charge of intentionally causing alarm to police sergeant Mohamed Basir Mohaideen when he tried to grab his revolver to end his life at Ang Mo Kio South Neighbourhood Police Centre on Jan 31.

A district court heard that Aw had been drinking beer on Dec 25. He cycled to a bus stop at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 and took a bus to Chong Pang area in Yihsun. He continued to drink and decided to break the notice board at the bus stop.

As he could not find a stone, he took a concrete drain cover nearby and threw it onto the notice board belonging to the Land Transport Authority. He had shouted to five to six people at the bus stop to move before throwing the drain cover.

The court heard that he continued to drink and proceeded to hurl a stone to break the glass panels of two more bus stops along Yishun Avenue 2 and Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8 that day.

The total damage caused in eight charges, including five which were taken into consideration, was $3,680.

Aw, who was diagnosed with alcohol abuse, has previous convictions for theft, fraudulent possession and having an offensive instrument.