Ex-businessman jailed for spitting blood at police officer, paramedic after argument with mistress

SINGAPORE — He was drunk and violent, so his son called the police. 

When they showed up, Tan Yew Hock spat blood on a paramedic — causing some of it to enter the man’s eye — and a police officer, who inadvertently swallowed some of the blood. 

On Wednesday (July 24), the 66-year-old was sentenced to six weeks’ jail after pleading guilty to using criminal force on the police officer. Another charge of spitting at the paramedic was taken into consideration for sentencing.

The court heard that on the night of May 13 this year, Tan began quarrelling with his mistress about financial problems and other issues. She was not named in court documents.

The former businessman began having an extramarital affair in 2000, and lives with his mistress and their two sons in a flat. The ages of the sons were not revealed. 

His lawyer Low Hui Hui told the court that Tan’s wife has suffered from schizophrenia since 1980, and he has been carrying on the affair with the mistress as he does not want to divorce his wife, with whom he has a daughter.

“He is a responsible person and not a womaniser, to make it more exact,” Mr Low, who sought four to six weeks’ jail, added.

'DRUNK AND VIOLENT'

During the argument, Tan kicked down his bedroom cupboard door, which led his son to call the police, saying: “My father is very drunk and is very violent now.”

Paramedics arrived at the scene first and noticed that Tan was bleeding from a cut on his lip. Tan said it was from an accident.

The aspirin medication that he was on for his heart condition caused his blood to thin, and he was bleeding profusely.

When one of the paramedics tried to check on him, he spat on the man’s face. He later calmed down and allowed himself to be treated.

At about 1.40am, the police arrived. When Senior Staff Sergeant Eugene Ong tried to find out what had happened by asking questions, Tan grew agitated again and raised his voice, shouting utterances such as “Eugene Ong, get out of my way” and “Don’t ask stupid questions”.

Tan also glared at the officer and pointed at him with his index finger.

Sometime later, Staff Sergeant Jeffrey Low held onto his hand to prevent him from being aggressive towards his mistress. 

Tan told him to get out of his way and to let him go. Tan then spat on Staff Sergeant Low’s face. The officer later inadvertently swallowed some of the blood.

The police later arrested Tan and put him on a stretcher. When the officers tried to carry him out of the flat, he tried to break free by kicking and thrashing about with his legs, hitting one of them on his shin.

They had to restrain him and tie down his legs before he gave in.

Tan’s blood later tested negative for any infectious disease.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Dan Pan sought at least six weeks’ jail. He noted that in recent years, there has been a steady increase in the total number of physical hurt and verbal abuse cases directed at police officers.

Mr Low said that Tan has been seeing a counsellor, and District Judge Mesenas replied that she would convene a community court conference to see if Tan needs counselling for other issues.