SINGAPORE — Two men who had been charged with murder for a vicious attack on a Frenchman last April pleaded guilty on Wednesday (Oct 4) to reduced charges of voluntarily causing grievous hurt.

Muhammad Daniel Abdul Jalil and Radin Abdullah Syaafi Radin Badruddin, both 24, will be sentenced on Oct 19 and each faces up to 10 years’ jail and a fine or caning for the charge.

Their victim, Navarro Dorian Regis, 34, died from traumatic head injuries one-and-a-half months after the attack.

The attackers and their victim had emerged from different clubs in Orchard Towers at about 6am on April 1 last year.

Daniel and Radin were with two friends and Daniel’s hat was swiped from his head when he got into an argument with one of them and was pushed.

Radin tried to pick the hat up, but Regis threw it towards Daniel’s group. This angered Radin, who felt the Frenchman was mocking his group. He confronted Regis and his two friends, one of whom apologised for Regis’ gesture. But Radin insisted that Regis apologise and tailed him as he walked out of Orchard Towers.

Daniel chased after Regis, punching him on the head from behind and sending a flying kick to his victim’s stomach.

Regis ran in circles, trying to evade the blows but Daniel punched his head again, causing him to fall at Claymore Road.

Radin joined in the attack and kicked Regis’ body and face as he lay on the road. He kicked Regis’ face again before he and Daniel were pulled away by their friends.

Regis, who had bleeding in the brain, became unconscious about four hours after he was sent to Singapore General Hospital. He remained in coma and died on May 16 last year.

Daniel faces another charge of voluntarily causing grievous hurt for punching Regis’ friend, Mr Goudal Pierre-Eric Jules Jean, 29, in the face when he tried to stop the attack.