Bus driver jailed for slashing colleague
Reuters file photo
SINGAPORE — A bus captain was jailed 18 months and given three strokes of the cane today (30 July) for attacking a colleague.
The court heard that the two bus captains from Chitson Transport Service Company had a history of bad blood, with one often accusing the other of carrying tales to their boss behind his back.
Fed-up with the accusations, China national Sui Fengbo decided to retaliate. On Feb 7, he bought a knife and approached compatriot Jiang Junjie outside their Jalan Tukang dormitory.
Upon seeing the knife, Mr Jiang ran to his bus, which was parked nearby, and retrieved a metal rod measuring 50cm. He then rained blows on Sui, continuing even after Sui warned that he would stab him if he did not stop.
Sui, 38, proceeded to slash him repeatedly. Their colleagues called the police and Sui was later charged with voluntarily causing grievous hurt.
A medical report showed that Mr Jiang, 44, sustained cuts across his arms, chest, back and left leg. He had several operations and had to undergo outpatient rehabilitation. He was also granted 41 days of hospitalisation leave. Sui, on the other hand, had no material injuries.
The prosecution argued that the attack was pre-meditated, as Sui had deliberately brought the knife and approached the victim.
But defence lawyer Troy Yeo retorted that Sui was also a victim, having been hit by Mr Jiang. He appealed to the judge to allow Sui to return to China immediately, after the court case was settled.
His client has an unemployed wife and a six-year-old child to support back home, said Mr Yeo.
In sentencing, District Judge Lee Poh Choo said: “There is no reason for me to differentiate offenders (based on nationality), when they commit similar offences.”
She added that no compensation offer has been made so far, despite Sui’s claim of being remorseful.
