Man who assaulted prison officer while in remand jailed, caned

SINGAPORE — While in remand at Changi Prison, Mohamad Farhan Tajuddin wandered out of his cell to chat with his neighbour while another person was brought to his cell. Spotted by a prison officer, he was warned that disciplinary action would be taken against him.

Upset with the warning, the 28-year-old launched an attack later that evening on the prison officer Pouminathan Mayalagu when the sergeant was back distributing medication, raining punches on the 55-year-old’s face, body and legs even when the officer was down on the floor.

The assault within prison walls, which took place on Dec 8, 2016, only stopped when he was pulled away by other inmates. Other prison officers arrived to contain the situation, and Sergeant Pouminathan was taken to the hospital. The officer was given seven days’ medical leave for his injuries.

Farhan was on Tuesday (Jan 9) sentenced by District Judge Diana Ho to five years and seven months’ jail, and three strokes of the cane.

Calling the attack on the prison officer “a clear act of defiance against a public institution and an act of humiliation against the victim”, Deputy Public Prosecutor Kavitha Uthrapathy charged that Farhan’s actions were motivated by revenge.

For assaulting the prison officer, Farhan could have been jailed up to seven years, as well as a fine and/or caning.

The assault happened while Farhan was remanded at Changi Prison for being in possession of a parang, threatening a 15-year-old boy with the weapon, as well as two other drug-related offences. The former mover was unable to post bail for the earlier offences.

The court heard that, on Sept 25, 2016, Farhan had challenged the boy to a fight at a playground near Block 545, Bedok North Street 3 at around 8.30pm.

During the standoff, Farhan brandished a 45-cm parang and placed it on the boy’s neck.

The boy, who did not suffer any injuries, ran away. Farhan was subequently arrested.

His other drug-related offences include failing to report for urine tests on five occasions. He tested positive for methamphetamine following his arrest.

Defence lawyer Alice Tan told the court that her client had committed the offences “in a moment of folly, and his failure to exercise good judgment due to his inability to keep his anger under control”.

“Farhan is determined to make good of his life after his release from prison,” Ms Tan added.y