Convict gets extra jail time, strokes of cane for assaulting fellow inmate

SINGAPORE — A convict who launched a “brutal and vicious” attack on his fellow prison inmate, who lost an eye after the assault, is getting another four-and-a-half years in jail and seven strokes of the cane.

Muhammad Noh Faizal Sa’at, 27, yesterday pleaded guilty to one count of causing grievous hurt to Osman Kassim, 51, in Changi Prison.

In 2012, he had been sentenced to serve eight years in jail and 10 strokes of the cane for drug-related offences. He will serve his new sentence after his present one.

On Thursday (Aug 17), the court heard that on June 21 last year, Osman was distributing clean laundry to the prison cells when Noh spotted him from a staircase.

He tapped Osman on the shoulder from behind, and when he turned around, Noh punched Osman on the right eye “with great force”, Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Sarah Shi said.

Noh was angry with his fellow inmate “for reading his letter ... which (Osman) denies”, DPP Shi said. No other details were given about the letter.

After punching Osman in the eye, Noh went on to bash his head. Osman fell to the ground and tried to protect himself as Noh rained more blows on him. The court heard that Noh kicked Osman at least four times and struck him another five times, until he ended up in a foetal position on the floor.

Noh then used his foot to stamp on Osman’s head twice.

DPP Shi said that Noh dealt at least 19 blows to Osman, who “did not provoke (Noh), did not retaliate at all, and only tried to use his forearms to protect himself from the blows”.

By the time prison officers arrived at the scene and ordered Noh to stop, Osman was already unconscious and bleeding.

A medical examination revealed that Osman’s right eye bled and was ruptured, and he was hospitalised for 13 days.

Three months after he was discharged, Osman still complained of pain in his right eye.

Further examinations showed that the eye had become soft and damaged, and had to be removed. Osman is now wearing a prosthetic eye.

In arguing for a custodial sentence of at least four years’ jail, with six strokes of the cane, the prosecution charged that Noh’s assault was “a blitz attack”.

“The victim scarcely had any chance to defend himself against the first blow of the accused,” DPP Shi said.

On Noh being angry with Osman for reading his letter, DPP Shi said that “this would have been a very trivial event and the accused’s reaction was entirely disproportionate”.

Noh, who was unrepresented in court, has a long history of criminal behaviour. Since 2005, he had been convicted of offences including snatch theft, criminal breach of trust, and robbery with hurt. For causing grievous hurt, he could have been jailed up to 10 years and be fined or caned.