SINGAPORE — A 27-year-old student was sentenced to three months’ jail and fined S$3,000 on Wednesday (May 16) for punching and verbally abusing two police officers outside an Orchard Road nightclub last year.

Jordan Lee Plant pleaded guilty to three charges of voluntarily causing hurt, using criminal force and using abusive words towards a public servant.

The court heard that the Australian national, a student at James Cook University Singapore then, was intoxicated throughout the entire incident, which took place on March 19 last year.

At about 2.45am, the two police officers, Sergeant Adrian Tan and Staff Sergeant Ismadi Hussien, were called to the Cherry Discotheque nightclub at Mount Elizabeth, off Orchard Road.

The caller had told the police that more than 10 people were fighting there.

When the two officers arrived, they noticed Plant had been injured after being assaulted earlier outside the nightclub. They then called the ambulance to take him to the hospital for medical treatment.

While waiting for the paramedics, Plant’s friends tried to calm him down and keep him from getting too close to Sergeant Tan. But Plant suddenly turned towards him and pushed him on his shoulder.

His friend immediately intervened and pushed him back. Staff Sergeant Ismadi then walked over to render assistance.

At about 3.05am, Plant was asked to enter the ambulance but refused to do so. When Staff Sergeant Ismadi held onto his arm and told him to get into the ambulance, he continued refusing to cooperate and instead walked away. He also verbally abused Staff Sergeant Ismadi, adding that he was an Australian citizen.

After refusing to comply with the officers’ instruction multiple times, Plant was arrested but attempted to resist. He punched Staff Sergeant Ismadi on the face and upper body, and pushed him away at least twice. The officers then pinned him to the floor and handcuffed him.

Staff Sergeant Ismadi suffered bruises on his face and chest, and was given two days’ medical leave.

During sentencing, District Judge Kessler Soh told Plant: “I need you to understand that the law must protect police officers in the lawful exercise of their duty … the officers were trying to assist you, but you verbally abused them.”