Jail for man for beat up loan shark runner

Jail for man for beat up loan shark runner

SINGAPORE - A loan shark runner more than met his match when he went to meet an alleged debtor who was meant to pay him $3,300.

When a row erupted, Mr Albert Ong Swee Thye was struck in the abdomen with a hammer, then later punched and kicked in the face and body. Crane operator Tan Chee How, 39 - the man who attacked the 33-year-old - was jailed on Monday for six months after admitting the assault.

A district court heard that one "Ah Guan" owed Mr Ong $3,300 and told the runner that Tan would pass it to him on his behalf. Ah Guan gave Tan's mobile number and address to Mr Ong.

On Feb 6 this year, he went to meet Tan at the void deck of Block 943 Hougang Street 92.

A dispute broke out when Tan claimed that he did not owe anyone money and he was unhappy that Mr Ong had harassed him. After being hit in the abdomen with the hammer, Mr Ong put up a struggle and snatched the weapon before fleeing to a nearby park. Tan caught up with him and, in a further scuffle, punched and kicked his victim, taking his iPhone and identity card.

Lawyer Ravinderpal Singh said his client had been very stressed over being constantly harassed by Mr Ong, who called at his home at least three times and sent him disturbing phone messages.

Tan was also fined a total of $3,000 for having dangerous fireworks at his flat in Bedok South Avenue 3 on Feb 25, and discharging a rocket firework at the void deck of his block. Three other charges of discharging dangerous fireworks, breach of a personal protection order and criminal intimidation were considered during sentencing.

 


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