SINGAPORE — The youth involved in the slashing at ITE College West in March this year has pleaded guilty to one count of voluntarily causing grievous hurt using a deadly weapon to an alumnus of the institution.

Muhammad Zuhairie Adely Zulkifli, 17, also admitted to a separate count of being part of an unlawful assembly that punched and kicked a victim in April last year.

At the defence lawyer’s request, District Judge Matthew Joseph adjourned the case for pre-sentencing reports to assess Muhammad Zuhairie Adely’s suitability for probation and reformative training.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Kumaresan Gohulabalan urged the court to impose a term of 18 months’ jail and six strokes of the cane, stressing that the sentencing principle of deterrence outweighs rehabilitation in this case.

The court today (Oct 16) heard that Muhammad Zuhairie Adely was first acquainted with the victim Ahmad Nurthaqif Sahed’s girlfriend, and had met the victim only once before the assault.

Sometime in the evening of March 7, Muhammad Zuhairie Adely chanced upon Ahmad Nurthaqif and his girlfriend while they were walking around Clarke Quay. He shouted “baby” and conversed briefly with the girlfriend.

Ahmad Nurthaqif confronted Muhammad Zuhairie Adely and expressed displeasure at his comment. Over the next three days, Muhammad Zuhairie Adely texted Ahmad Nurthaqif, wanting to “talk things out with him”, and was told by the latter’s girlfriend that he would not be free.

On March 10, Muhammad Zuhairie Adely confronted Ahmad Nurthaqif at an open piazza at ITE College West. There were more than 50 people there at that time. Armed with a bread knife with a 35cm-long blade, he charged at Ahmad Nurthaqif from behind and slashed his back once.

In defence, the injured Ahmad Nurthaqif kicked Muhammad Zuhairie Adely to the ground. Muhammad Zuhairie Adely picked himself up and repeatedly swung the knife at his victim’s face.

Besides a 2cm laceration on his upper back, Ahmad Nurthaqif suffered multiple fractures on his forearm, three fingers and a cut behind his ear while using his hands to protect his face. He was given three months’ medical leave.

During investigations, Muhammad Zuhairie Adely admitted: “I brought the knife along as I felt that Ahmad Nurthaqif would be fearful of me. However (he) tested my limits and thus I decided to use the knife to slash on him.”

Muhammad Zuhairie Adely has been remanded and his case will be heard again on Nov 5.

A person convicted of voluntarily causing grievous hurt using a deadly weapon could be jailed for life.