SINGAPORE: A man who was fleeing after attacking a spa owner with a screwdriver pushed a 59-year-old man who was trying to stop him.
The man fell backwards, hit his head and suffered brain haemorrhaging and a fracture. He underwent brain surgery and is likely to remain in a nursing home.
Chan Pei Ming, a jobless 49-year-old Singaporean, was sentenced to 15 months’ jail on Wednesday (Feb 28).
He pleaded guilty to one count each of attempting to voluntarily cause hurt with a screwdriver and causing hurt that turned out to be grievous.
The court heard that Chan went to Chinatown for lunch on Jul 19 last year.
He then went to Lucky Chinatown on New Bridge Road and went past a health and beauty spa called QTM Herbal Therapy Spa.
As he stood outside looking at the advertisement board displaying the spa’s services, the owner of the spa asked Chan if he was interested in a facial session and told him the price.
Chan agreed and went in for the services. At about 5.30pm, after the facial session was complete, Chan realised he did not have enough money to pay for it.
He told the spa owner that he would withdraw money from a nearby ATM, but she asked that he leave his mobile phone behind as collateral. Chan refused and began arguing with her.
Suddenly, he retrieved a screwdriver from his pocket and thrust it at her.
The woman managed to fend him off but they began scuffling. Passers-by came to help and Chan fled.
PUSHED MAN WHO TRIED TO BLOCK HIM
As he approached an overhead bridge that led away from Lucky Chinatown, Chan ran towards a 59-year-old man.
The man heard shouts for help and saw Chan running towards him. He tried to block Chan by lifting up his arms and moving from left to right.
Chan used both hands to push the man on his chest and ran away. The man fell backwards and hit the back of his head on the ground.
He began bleeding from his nose and ears.
The victim was taken to hospital where repeated brain scans found worsening acute brain bleeding with associated swelling of the brain, as well as a fracture of a bone behind his ear.
The man underwent urgent brain surgery and was placed on ventilator support in the intensive care unit.
As of October 2023, he was still warded and required assistance and supervision in walking. His final discharge destination is a nursing home.
The spa owner also sought medical attention for a bruise on her temple, scratch marks over her collarbone and neck and a shaky tooth.
The police arrested Chan at his home a day after the incident.
The prosecutor sought 16 to 20 months’ jail for Chan, first saying the attack on the spa owner was “unprovoked and completely one-sided”.
The second victim suffered “grave harm” and a nursing home is “his likely final discharge destination”, said Deputy Public Prosecutor Maximilian Chew.
The judge said the second victim had suffered serious harm as a result of Chan’s actions, and Chan was trying to avoid paying for a service that he had received.