K
Keiji Maeda
Guest
Jun 20, 2011
Man jailed over coffeeshop bust-up
By Elena Chong
Thibakar Sockalingam, 31, pleaded guilty to causing serious hurt to another at a coffeeshop. -- PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
A MAN who caused serious hurt to another at a coffeeshop was jailed for nine months on Monday.
Thibakar Sockalingam, 31, a mover, who pleaded guilty, felt that the victim, Mr Toh Poh Hoe, 50, and his friends were being too noisy at the Bukit Panjang Ring Road coffeeshop on March 13.
He confronted the group and an argument ensued between him and the victim.
Suddenly, Thibakar used his right hand to punch the victim once on his face, causing the deliveryman to fall backwards and hit the floor. Mr Toh was taken to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital where he was operated on to remove a blood clot.
Thibakar, who has convictions for causing hurt among others, was spared caning as he told the court that he had hurt his spine, hip and shoulder in a traffic accident nine years back.
He could have been jailed for up to 10 years and liable to a fine or to caning.
