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Nov 23, 2010
Slashing duo not given probation
By Khushwant Singh
A SCHOOL altercation turned bloody after it spilled into the streets in July 2010. On Tuesday, Mohamad Fazlie Azmi, 17, and Muhammad Farid Abdullah, 16, were sentenced to reformative training for slashing MacPherson Secondary School student Liu Zheng Tao, 17, and his 14-year-old friend with knives, at a basketball court at Circuit Road.
Probation had been recommended for both, but police prosecutor Sheik Allaudeen argued that it was too light a punishment. He said that the duo had used 'unjustified, mindless violence' and should be punished appropriately. District Judge Ng Peng Hong agreed, noting that in light of the recent spate of similar attacks, 'the courts must send a strong message that such acts of violence will not be condoned'.
Three other accomplices have been dealt with in the juvenile court and are now in the Singapore Boys' Home. As they are below the age of 16, they cannot be named. The attack is not believed to be gang-related. The court heard that while in school on July 13, Zheng Tao accidentally bumped into a 14-year-old schoolmate.
A dispute broke out and both agreed to meet up later to resolve the matter. The other teenager roped in two friends at the same school and also got hold of part-time mover Muhammad Farid and Mohamad Fazlie, who is unemployed. The latter turned up with three knives tucked in the waistband of his pants. A 14-year-old schoolmate also came with a knife.
When the two groups met at a basketball court at Circuit Road, tempers flared and Muhammad Farid and a 15-year-old accomplice drew out knives and started slashing. Within seconds, it was over and the attackers fled. At Changi General Hospital, Zheng Tao was treated for deep cuts on his head and hand and for a stab wound in his back. His friend's head was also slashed.
