Company director hits taxi driver with metal rod
by Shin Min Daily News
14 June 2012 5:43 PM | Updated 15 June 2012 9:29 PM
A director of a company has been jailed for one month after hitting a taxi driver with a metal rod.
The incident happened at around 2:14pm on 12 May 2010 at 16 Penjuru Lane.
A 41-year-old director of a prefabricated metal construction company, only known as Dilo, was charged with assaulting Mr Zhang Xiang Du, a 63-year-old ComfortDelgro taxi driver.
According to court statements, Dilo was in the taxi heading from Toh Guan Road East to Penjuru Lane.
Dilo was carrying some metal sticks and rods with him.
At the destination, an argument erupted between the two and Mr Zhang directed profanities at Dilo. The security guard of the building intervened and calmed them down.
Dilo paid for his fare and as Mr Zhang was driving off, Dilo apparently used vulgarities on him.
At this point Mr Zhang alighted from his vehicle and confronted Dilo who pulled out a metal rod which was around 60cm in length and hit the taxi driver’s left arm.
The security guard managed to pull the two men apart and the police arrested Dilo.
Mr Zhang was sent to the National University Hospital for treatment. He suffered bruising and swelling on his arm, but there was no internal injury.
When passing the verdict, the judge said that he considered many factors before deciding on the jail term of one month.
He said he wanted to send a clear message that violence against transport service providers will not be tolerated.
Dilo is currently on bail and has indicated that he will submit an appeal against the verdict.
Source: Shin Min Daily News, 13 June 2012.
