Man who attacked wife's lover jailed

SINGAPORE- A factory worker who returned home ill from a night shift to find his wife in bed with one of his colleagues was jailed for two months on Monday for attacking the man with two choppers.

Zhuang Minhai, 29, got back to the rented room which he shared with his wife Lin Liyun, also 29, to find her having sex with Mr Zhang Zhiyang. All three worked at the same factory.

Zhuang punched his 22-year-old love rival in the back several times. He ordered Mr Zhang to leave but he refused.

The furious husband went to the kitchen and grabbed two choppers before lashing out at Mr Zhang. The victim managed to avoid the first two swings of the blades but was slashed by the third.

The Chinese couple's landlady called the police over the commotion in Boon Lay Drive at around 8.30pm on April 28.

Mr Zhang, whose arm was broken in the attack, needed surgery on an 8cm cut on the same arm at the National University Hospital.

Zhuang pleaded guilty to causing grievous hurt to Mr Zhang.

Defence counsel Justin Phua said his client had paid the victim $4,000 to cover his medical expenses and a further $5,000 in compensation. The lawyer also told the court that Zhuang, who has worked here since 2001, had a "heart to heart talk" with Ms Lin and has forgiven her.

In passing sentence, District Judge Eddy Tham said that catching his wife in bed with another man was "clearly an infuriating event" for Zhuang but the way he swung the two choppers was "very serious and dangerous".

He could have been jailed for up to six years and fined up to $10,000.

khush@sph.com.sg

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