11-10-2023 (SINGAPORE) A protracted noise dispute between two neighbors in Singapore reached a violent climax in January. The dispute, which had persisted for three years, escalated when one of the individuals confronted the other with a wooden pole, and in response, the other man wielded a kitchen knife.
Lam Chee Kong, a 58-year-old Singaporean, appeared in court on Wednesday (October 11) and pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of voluntarily causing hurt in connection with the altercation.
The court proceedings unveiled a lengthy history of disputes between Lam and his neighbor, 67-year-old Singaporean Hassan Abdullah Ashiblie. Lam resided on the fourth floor of a Housing Board block in Bedok North, while Hassan lived directly below him on the third floor with a roommate.
Tensions had been mounting over the years due to noise disturbances emanating from Lam’s unit. On January 17, at approximately 1:30 am, Lam returned home after a work dinner, having consumed several alcoholic drinks. He initially heard a knocking sound from the floor below but chose to ignore it.
Shortly thereafter, Lam heard knocks at his main door. He cautiously opened the door with the metal gate still locked, only to be confronted by Hassan, who was brandishing a 70cm-long wooden pole. Hassan inquired about the noise and accused Lam of being too loud. In response, Lam used derogatory language in Hokkien.
This exchange of words soon escalated, with Hassan responding in kind with vulgar language and demanding that Lam come out of his house to resolve the noise issue once and for all.
Fearing for his safety, Lam retrieved a kitchen knife, unlocked his gate, and approached Hassan. In the ensuing altercation, Hassan repeatedly struck Lam with his wooden pole, while Lam swung his knife. Lam managed to inflict cuts on Hassan’s face, arm, and hand, while Hassan struck Lam on the head with the pole.
Hassan ultimately fled the scene, leaving a trail of blood in the corridor leading to the staircase. Hassan’s roommate promptly contacted the police, and both men were transported to the hospital for medical attention.
Hassan sustained a deep laceration measuring 3 to 4cm on his head, as well as lacerations on his forearm and lip. He was administered a tetanus injection and prescribed medication. Lam experienced bleeding under his scalp and received oral painkillers.
During the court proceedings, the prosecutor argued for a sentence of eight to 12 weeks’ imprisonment for Lam, citing his prior drug-related convictions, intoxication during the incident, and the use of a kitchen knife as a weapon. The prosecutor did, however, grant a 30% discount for Lam’s guilty plea. She also highlighted the greater danger posed by the weapon Lam had used and the severity of Hassan’s injuries.
The defense lawyer, Sng Kheng Huat, described the incident as “unfortunate” and asserted that his client now acknowledges his actions were inappropriate. Lam, he said, should have called the police and awaited their arrival instead of retrieving the knife. He emphasized that the altercation was not premeditated and contended that Hassan’s actions were a provocation.
Sng argued for sentencing parity between Lam and Hassan, emphasizing that both were charged under Section 323. He addressed Lam’s intoxication, stating that he had consumed only a few beers within the confines of his own home. In response, the judge adjourned sentencing to October 31.
The penalties for voluntarily causing hurt include a jail term of up to three years, a fine of up to S$5,000, or both.
