Jail, caning and fine for jobless man who slashed girlfriend, robbed acquaintance of S$240

SINGAPORE — Several months after slashing his then-girlfriend, getting drunk in public and verbally abusing a police officer, Kelvin Lee Weng Chong assaulted a man he had just shared drinks with and stole S$240 from him.

For his crimes, Lee was sentenced to three years, four months and two weeks’ jail, 12 strokes of the cane and a S$2,000 fine on Monday (Dec 20).

The 44-year-old Singaporean, who was unemployed at the time, pleaded guilty to one count each of harassment, robbery and voluntarily causing hurt with a dangerous weapon.

The court heard that on April 5 last year, Lee got into an argument with his girlfriend Tan Meei Ling, 32, in a Toa Payoh flat.

They got into a scuffle that continued into the kitchen, during which Lee retrieved a fruit knife and swung it towards Ms Tan’s face several times, telling her that he wanted to disfigure her.

She used her forearm to block the weapon and Lee slashed her several times there, before stopping and returning to the living room.

Ms Tan sought treatment at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital the next day and also made a police report at Toa Payoh Neighbourhood Police Centre.

A medical report stated that she had suffered injuries such as multiple superficial abrasions, bruising and a broken finger.

About a month later, Lee got into trouble again. This was during the circuit breaker period last year that limited movements and activities due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

On May 19 last year, he arranged to meet Ms Tan at the void deck of Block 105 Jalan Bukit Merah at 1am to settle a dispute. Court documents did not give more details about their argument.

Ms Tan’s sister later called the police out of worry for her sibling’s safety.

When a policeman arrived at the scene with his partner, he noticed that Lee was agitated and speaking incoherently. The officer assessed that he was intoxicated and placed him under arrest.

Later that morning, the officer was escorting Lee to the lock-up area at Police Cantonment Complex when Lee repeatedly scolded him with English and Hokkien vulgarities despite being warned not to do so.

He also pointed his middle finger at the officer several times until he went into lock-up.

He was then released on bail before re-offending this year.

On the evening of Jan 19 this year, he joined Mr Chua Lye Huat, who was a stranger then, at a coffee shop in Bedok North. He had already drunk four bottles of beer earlier in the day.

The two men and Mr Chua’s friend then shared a few bottles of beer before the pair began arguing. Lee had told Mr Chua to support him at his pub but the other man was not willing to commit to a day to do so.

Mr Chua then left the coffee shop and Lee followed him.

At about 11pm, Lee caught up with him near the lift lobby of Block 423 Bedok North Avenue 1. They began arguing again and Lee punched him several times on his face, asking for money.

Afraid that Lee would hit him again, Mr Chua took out his wallet with the intention of giving him cash, but Lee snatched it away and took S$240 cash from it. He also took the other man’s Oppo mobile phone.

When Mr Chua asked for the wallet and phone back, Lee punched him again, returned only the wallet and left.

Mr Chua went home to rest and made a police report the next day. Lee was arrested that morning but only S$67 and Mr Chua’s phone were recovered from him.

For his most serious charge of robbery after 7pm and before 7am, Lee could have been jailed at least three years and up to 14 years, and given at least 12 strokes of the cane.