Woman punches 72-year-old cleaner at kopitiam for being too slow
Lianhe Wanbao - 5 June 2012 12:39 PM | Updated 7:34 PM
A woman who was unhappy with an old cleaner lady because she was too slow in clearing the dishes at a Kopitiam - punched her in the eye.
The incident happened at 2:05pm on 3 June at the Kopitiam located on the fourth level of Tampines Square.
According to one witness, a 29 year-old doctor known only as Ms Wang, the heavyset woman in her forties began shouting at the old cleaner, a 72 year-old lady known only as Mdm Lin.
“She started screaming at her and even used profanities. She said she was slow and unwilling to help clear the table,” said Ms Wang.
The shouting went on even as the manager of the Kopitiam tried to mediate things.
At this point, the old cleaner argued back and got punched in her left eye.
The police and Civil Defence officers were called in and the old lady was taken to Changi General Hospital.
When interviewed the next morning, Mdm Lin said the Kopitiam was crowded, so the tables were not cleared quickly.
She said that when she saw the woman (who punched her) placing plates on the floor, she tried to tell her not to, but was punched in the face.
Another witness, known only as Mr Liu, said that the woman tried to throw another punch, but was restrained by others.
“When she threw the first punch, the crowd was caught off guard. When she wanted to continue hitting the old lady, 10 men stepped up immediately to restrain her while others stood in front of the old lady,” he said.
Mdm Lin has been working at the Kopitiam with her 77 year-old husband for the last two years. They have three sons. Her second son said that the family intends to bring the matter to court.
A spokesperson from Kopitiam has urged everyone to raise any complaints to the managers at their food establishments. The public is reminded not to resort to violence.
Source: Lianhe Wanbao, 4 June 2012.
