Indian-origin man jailed 20 months for assaulting taxi driver

An Indian-origin Singaporean, who was celebrated during last year's National Day for turning his life of crime around and completing a law and management course, was sent back to jail today for 20 months for assaulting a taxi driver and his cousin.
Banquet waiter S Sarbir Singh, 26, admitted last month to punching taxi driver Woo Teng Fatt, 56, in the face, kicking him and pinning him onto the ground in the carpark of the tourist attraction, Singapore Flyer at Raffles Avenue on October 2012, the Straits Times reported .
He also admitted causing grievous hurt to his cousin, Mary Lynn Ramos, by punching and kicking her and also stepping on her ribcage at the common corridor outside her home on October 2013.

In sentencing him to a total of 20 months jail, District Judge Michelle Yap commended Singh's effort to turn his life around from the time he was first charged.
"I am persuaded that he genuinely wants to change for the better, and will accordingly give some weight to this. The accused had done wrong, and it is now the time for him to face the music and be punished for the offences, "she said.
The court heard that Singh and his wife were at the Singapore Flyer on that day when during the dispute, Singh punched and kicked the victim and later swung the victim to the ground and used his knee to pin the victim's neck and stomach.

Exactly a year later, the court heard, Singh went to Ramos' flat to look for his wife. He banged on the victim's door and windows. When told that his wife was not in, he did not believe Ramos and tried to enter the unit.

She used an umbrella to block him. Singh held onto the umbrella and dragged the victim out onto the corridor where he pushed her backwards causing her to trip and fall.
He then attacked her. Ramos suffered, among other injuries, multiple facial fractures.
Singh's lawyer N Sudha Nair said her client came from a broken home and had a tumultuous childhood. She said it was during his reformative training in 2007 that Singh resolved to turn his life around and focused in excelling in his studies.

His contributions to the society were duly recognised and he was celebrated as one of the 'Everyday Heroes' at the National Day Parade in 2014.