Barber jailed for slashing cleaner and kicking cop
PUBLISHED ONNovember 09, 2014 10:38 PMByIan Poh
A Malaysian barber who pushed a cleaner to the ground and slashed him with a knife for no reason was yesterday sentenced to 15 months in jail and three strokes of the cane.
Saravanan Munian, 29, also got another three months for kicking and spitting at a police officer.
The slashing incident happened on June 29, after cleaner Rethinam Thamotharan, 31, who is from India, opened the door of his quarters in Cuff Road at 2.30am to investigate a commotion outside.
He found himself accosted by two drunk men, who pulled him into a back lane and pushed him to the ground.
They prevented him from going back to his quarters, where he lived with three others.
Saravanan's co-accused, Saravanan Balaraman, 27, allegedly slapped the victim repeatedly to get him to keep quiet.
Saravanan Munian took a knife with a 20cm blade from a nearby coffee shop and slashed the cleaner before running away with his compatriot.
The cleaner, who needed surgery after suffering a deep cut and fracture on his elbow, was hospitalised for four days and given 56 days of medical leave.
Passing sentence yesterday, District Judge Victor Yeo said the attack was unprovoked and persistent, despite the fact that Mr Thamotharan was outnumbered. The judge added that it was hardly a mitigating factor even if Saravanan Munian had been drunk at the time.
Saravanan Munian also received $2,300 in fines and a 11/2-year driving ban for driving without a licence and while under the influence of drink, committed while out on court bail for the assault on Mr Thamotharan.
On Aug 10, he was being taken to the police station after failing a breathalyser test when he attacked the officer driving the police car.
Saravanan Munian, who pleaded guilty to four charges, could have been jailed for up to 10 years, and fined or caned for voluntarily causing grievous hurt. The case against his co-accused is pending.
This article was first published on Nov 8, 2014.
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