C
Cao Pi
Guest
Jun 9, 2010
Jail for assaulting cabby
<!-- by line --> <!-- end by line --> A MAN who assaulted and stole money from a taxi driver was jailed for six months on Wednesday. Odd-job labourer Tan Cher Liang, 53, pleaded guilty to hitting cabby Check Yeng Chew, 50, three times on the cheek while he was travelling in the cab along Jurong East Street 24 on Feb 4. A second charge of stealing $100 from the victim was taken into consideration during his sentencing.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Audrey Heng said while the cabby was taking Tan to Woodlands that night, Tan hit the victim's head with a bag of mushrooms he was carrying. Claiming that he was 'Ah Long San's brother', Tan said he need not pay if he took a taxi. He then threw three punches at the cabby's cheek. Fearing he would be assaulted further, Mr Check continued to drive. Tan vomited in the taxi. On arriving at Woodlands, he again threatened to assault the victim, who immediately got down and ran away.
Mr Anthony Lim said his client, who has a string of previous convictions since 1974, was released from preventive detention two years ago, and found it hard to fit into society because of his criminal record. He indulged in drinks that night when he learnt that his elder sister, the only person who was close to him, was dying of cancer, said the lawyer. Tan could have been jailed for up to two years and/or fined up to $5,000.
