Man hits neighbour for 'staring'
Man sentenced to three weeks' jail for attacking neighbour who could not see clearly without glasses
Omar Ahmat thought he was being stared at by a neighbour.
In reality, the neighbour, Samsodin Parman, could not see clearly without his glasses when the two crossed paths at about 6.45pm on Oct 10, 2014.
Omar, now 54, punched Mr Samsodin, also now 54, several times in the face.
Yesterday, District Judge Chay Yuen Fatt sentenced Omar, a freelance artist, to three weeks' jail for voluntarily causing grievous hurt.
The two had met each other at the void deck of Block 90, Pipit Road in MacPherson.
Omar was pushing his bicycle after returning from work and Mr Samsodin was returning from grocery shopping.
Court papers stated that Mr Samsodin "stared into the accused's direction for quite some time before he could recognise the accused".
Matters escalated because Omar was unhappy that Mr Samsodin had stared at him.
A verbal dispute took place before Omar, who has 11 grandchildren, struck Mr Samsodin for saying his family members were all "gila" (Malay for crazy).
The victim was unable to retaliate because his hands were full.
He ran off to get help from the MacPherson Neighbourhood Police Post.
FRACTURE
Mr Samsodin suffered a bloody nose, a mildly displaced fracture of the nasal bone and a deviated nasal septum.
He was given four days of medical leave.
Defence lawyer Henry Lim Ghim Siew said the incident was brief.
But Judge Chay replied it was the case only because "the victim ran away".
During mitigation, Mr Lim, who suggested the men had some previous "issues" with each other, said his client was remorseful.
Said Mr Lim: "He (Omar) is utterly shameful and gutted by his conduct on the matter. He had never been a violent person.
"And, as a grandfather facing this charge, he's feeling very shameful and deeply remorseful."
He (Omar) is utterly shameful and gutted by his conduct on the matter. And, as a grandfather facing this charge, he's feeling very shameful and deeply remorseful.
- Defence lawyer Henry Lim Ghim Siew during mitigation for Omar Ahmat
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