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Construction worker admits biting off dorm mate’s fingertip in fight over sex claims

SINGAPORE — What started out as an argument between two foreign workers at a dormitory over a false allegation of sexual behaviour last year ended with one of them losing the tip of his little finger.

Logan Govindaraj, 31, pleaded guilty to one charge of voluntarily causing grievous hurt to his dormitory mate Muthu Selvam, 42.

Logan Govindaraj, 31, pleaded guilty to one charge of voluntarily causing grievous hurt to his dormitory mate Muthu Selvam, 42.

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SINGAPORE — What started out as an argument between two foreign workers at a dormitory over a false allegation of sexual behaviour last year ended with one of them losing the tip of his little finger.

On Wednesday (Nov 24), Logan Govindaraj, 31, pleaded guilty to one charge of voluntarily causing grievous hurt to his dormitory mate Muthu Selvam, 42, by biting off the tip of the last finger on his left hand.

Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Melissa Lee told the court that both men are construction workers from India.

The incident took place at a dormitory along Kranji Crescent on the evening of Dec 6 last year, she said.

Just before the incident, Mr Muthu was returning to the dormitory when he saw a friend sitting in a lorry drinking alcohol and listening to music.

The friend invited him to join him in the lorry. Shortly after, Logan saw the men and walked over.

At this point, Logan had already drunk a total of 1.5 litres of beer and was intoxicated, DPP Lee said.

It was not stated what led to the dispute, but Logan started scolding Mr Muthu and made a false accusation that the older man was sleeping with other workers residing in the dormitory.

Mr Muthu told him “not to speak these untruths” but it fell on deaf ears.

In a bid to end the argument, Mr Muthu left the lorry but Logan stood in his way.

Mr Muthu responded by placing his left hand on the younger man’s upper chest, fairly close to his mouth.

Logan then bit Mr Muthu’s finger, who retaliated by slapping his assailant’s head and grabbing his shirt.

By now, blood was flowing profusely from Mr Muthu’s wound and he realised that a portion of his little finger was missing and an ambulance was eventually called to get him to the hospital.

Mr Muthu’s fingertip was recovered at the site of the attack, but the doctors were unable to surgically reattach it.

Logan is scheduled to return to court next month for another matter related to this case and will be sentenced later.

For voluntarily causing hurt, Logan could be jailed for up to 10 years or fined or caned.

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court crime assault migrant worker dormitory

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