Masseur jailed a year for threatening, beating ex-boss

A chinese national who threatened and then beat up his former boss was jailed for a year on Thursday.

Qi Liyong, 40, a masseur and a permanent resident here, had also instigated his wife, Wang Xuemei (photo), to tell the victim, Mr Low Szi Wei, that her husband would kill him unless he gave them $30,000.

He pleaded guilty to committing criminal intimidation and hurting his former employer.

He had worked in Mr Low's spa for half a month last November. His wife worked there for a day, also in November.

She kept in contact with Mr Low and this infuriated her husband, who believed they were having an affair.

On Feb 19, Mr Low drove to Hougang to meet her and to discuss hiring her as a trainer at a new spa he was setting up.

Instead, Qi turned up and punched Mr Low in the chest. He also hit him with a metal rod. Mr Low sustained injuries including bruises and swellings on his chest and left arm.

While police were investigating the assault, Qi sent messages to Mr Low's cellphone, threatening to harm him and his family in March and April.

It was also during these months that Mr Low gave $6,000 to Wang to settle the couple's housing rental.

The threats tapered off after another police report was lodged on April 27.

On May 29, Mr Low returned a missed call and Wang told him that her husband would kill him unless the couple was given $30,000. This threat was done at Qi's instigation.

Qi got her to do it again on June 1 when she told Mr Low that her husband was prepared to commit murder and go to prison.

Defence counsel Jerrie Tan said that Qi had assaulted Mr Low because of his suspicions of an affair.

Although Assistant Public Prosecutor Asran Samad told the court that Mr Low denied having an affair with Wang, District Judge Lee Poh Choo said that an adulterous relationship looked "suspiciously possible".

The maximum penalty for issuing a death threat is seven years in jail. For causing hurt, he could have been jailed for up to two years and fined.

Wang was sentenced to six months in jail last month.

khush@sph.com.sg

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