A 69-year-old man was jailed for four months on Tuesday for using a broken fluorescent light tube to stab the biceps of another.

Sim Tiang Huat, who sells pouches and fanny packs for a living, pleaded guilty to causing hurt to Mr Lim Koon Hee, 47, with a dangerous weapon near Geylang Lorong 10 at 10.12pm on Nov 20 last year.

The court heard that Sim, who had had a few glasses of beer, was in the bus when he bumped into Mr Lim during the journey while both were standing near the exit door.

As a result, they quarrelled. Sim challenged Mr Lim to a fight. They alighted along Geylang Road to settle the matter.

They were still arguing when a passer-by tried to separate them.

Sim then picked up the fluorescent light tube from the rubbish bin, broke it into two and subsequently used it to stab Mr Lim on the right biceps.

After the attack, Sim tried to settle the matter privately with Mr Lim. He left the scene before the police arrived.

Mr Lim was warded for three days for the injury on his biceps. He was placed on hospitalisation leave for 18 days.

Sim's lawyer Kea Cheng Han said Sim was remorseful for what he had done. When his client went near the victim to bandage his wound, he smelt alcohol on the victim's body. When Sim asked if he was drunk, Mr Lim said yes.

Sim could have been jailed for up to seven years and fined for the offence.