Road rage offender jailed and fined for punching and abusing cabby
Published Aug 12, 2015, 5:56 pm SGT
Elena Chong
Court Correspondent
SINGAPORE - A sales executive who punched and abused a taxi driver in a road rage incident was jailed for one month and fined $600 on Wednesday .
Seah Kai Hui, 26, pleaded guilty to hurting Mr Chua Eng Chye by punching his face multiple times, causing him to suffer a 2.5cm bruise over his left cheek and tenderness over the right side of his jaw.
He also hurled vulgarities at the 56-year-old victim with intent to cause distress at the junction of Clementi Avenue 6 an Commonwealth Avenue West turning to Ayer Rajah Expressway at about 1.30pm on Feb 21 this year.
A court heard that Mr Chua was driving his taxi along Commonwealth Avenue West when he stopped before the junction of Commonwealth Avenue West and Clement Avenue 6 at the second lane from the right as the traffic light was red.
When the traffic light turned green with red-turning arrow, he moved his taxi forward and hit Seah's motorcycle. Both Seah and his 24-year-old girlfriend, who was riding pillion, fell over to the right with the motorcycle.
Seah got up and opened the taxi door to confront the driver for causing the accident. He hit Mr Chua repeatedly on the face and used Hokkien vulgarities.
Healso pulled out the ignition key and threw it onto the road.
A motorist intervened and stopped the confrontation from escalating further.
Mr Chua sought medical treatment and was given three days' medical leave.
Seah, who had compensated Mr Chua $270, could have been jailed for up to two years and fined up to $5,000 for causing hurt. For using abusive words, he could have been fined up to $5,000 and jailed for up to six months.
