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Sep 25, 2009
Japanese gets jail for assault <!--10 min-->
<!-- headline one : start --> <!-- headline one : end --> <!-- Author --> <!-- show image if available --> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr></tr> <tr> </tr> <tr> </tr> <tr><td colspan="2" class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold">By Elena Chong </td></tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td width="330">
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Mitsuru, who was reeking of alcohol, showed the 65-year-old cabby his mobile phone with his address at Block 126 Edgefield Plains in Sengkang. But the cabby could not find his block. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW
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A JAPANESE construction site manager who used an umbrella to assault a cabby on the forehead and left thigh was sentenced to six weeks' jail on Friday. But Taniguchi Mitsuru, 47, is appealing and his bail was extended. The expatriate, who pleaded guilty earlier this month, had hailed Mr Lim Hing Soon's cab along Orchard Road in the early hours of Sept 2 last year after a night out with a friend at a pub. Mitsuru, who was reeking of alcohol, showed the 65-year-old cabby his mobile phone with his address at Block 126 Edgefield Plains in Sengkang. But the cabby could not find his block.
This angered Mitsuru who said he would not pay the taxi fare as the victim was unable to find the correct block. Mitsuru then got out infront of Block 105B without paying. Mr Lim followed him to collect his fare but was pushed. Mr Lim returned to his taxi to get an umbrella. Mitsuru grabbed the umbrella, and during a tussle, the victim fell to the floor. Both continued with their struggle over control of the umbrella which resulted in the victim being injured. Mr Lim had a 7cm-long cut over the forehead, a left upper thigh wound and chest pain.
Mitsuru's lawyer, Ms Tan Lee Cheng, said her client was very angry and upset with the cabby for not being able to get him home promptly and for not wanting to seek help even when he was lost. She said her client perceived Mr Lim to be not only a poor service-provider but also unrepentant and aggressive as Mr Lim was shouting at him and even went to get an umbrella from his taxi. She asked for a fine, saying this was a case of misunderstanding and miscommunication. The maximum penalty is up to two years in jail and/or a fine of up to $5,000.
Sep 25, 2009
Japanese gets jail for assault <!--10 min-->
<!-- headline one : start --> <!-- headline one : end --> <!-- Author --> <!-- show image if available --> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr></tr> <tr> </tr> <tr> </tr> <tr><td colspan="2" class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold">By Elena Chong </td></tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td width="330">
</td> <td width="10">
Mitsuru, who was reeking of alcohol, showed the 65-year-old cabby his mobile phone with his address at Block 126 Edgefield Plains in Sengkang. But the cabby could not find his block. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW
</td></tr> </tbody></table>
A JAPANESE construction site manager who used an umbrella to assault a cabby on the forehead and left thigh was sentenced to six weeks' jail on Friday. But Taniguchi Mitsuru, 47, is appealing and his bail was extended. The expatriate, who pleaded guilty earlier this month, had hailed Mr Lim Hing Soon's cab along Orchard Road in the early hours of Sept 2 last year after a night out with a friend at a pub. Mitsuru, who was reeking of alcohol, showed the 65-year-old cabby his mobile phone with his address at Block 126 Edgefield Plains in Sengkang. But the cabby could not find his block.
This angered Mitsuru who said he would not pay the taxi fare as the victim was unable to find the correct block. Mitsuru then got out infront of Block 105B without paying. Mr Lim followed him to collect his fare but was pushed. Mr Lim returned to his taxi to get an umbrella. Mitsuru grabbed the umbrella, and during a tussle, the victim fell to the floor. Both continued with their struggle over control of the umbrella which resulted in the victim being injured. Mr Lim had a 7cm-long cut over the forehead, a left upper thigh wound and chest pain.
Mitsuru's lawyer, Ms Tan Lee Cheng, said her client was very angry and upset with the cabby for not being able to get him home promptly and for not wanting to seek help even when he was lost. She said her client perceived Mr Lim to be not only a poor service-provider but also unrepentant and aggressive as Mr Lim was shouting at him and even went to get an umbrella from his taxi. She asked for a fine, saying this was a case of misunderstanding and miscommunication. The maximum penalty is up to two years in jail and/or a fine of up to $5,000.
