Prisoner broke fellow inmate's jaw and nose over a banana

Prisoner broke fellow inmate's jaw and nose over a banana

A PRISONER kneed a fellow inmate in the face, then broke his jaw and nose - all because he thought the inmate had taken an extra banana during their lunch break.

Muhammad Fazil Salleh, 38, was jailed for three years with six strokes of the cane yesterday, after he pleaded guilty to a charge of causing grievous hurt.

He also admitted to stealing from a FairPrice outlet, just two months after his release from prison and while out on court bail in relation to the assault.

For breaching a prison remission order, he was given an additional sentence of 59 days' jail, the term being the remaining duration of his order.

Fazil also admitted to stealing an unattended mobile phone from a shop in Bedok North Avenue 2.

The offence was taken into consideration during sentencing.

The court heard that at about 12.15pm on April 3 last year, Fazil, who was in jail for theft, was having lunch with 33-year-old Puspanathan Ramachandran in Admiralty West Prison when they argued over the latter taking an extra banana.

Fazil slapped Puspanathan's face and kneed him in the chest.

After he fell to the ground, Fazil kneed Puspanathan in the face.

As a result of his injuries, Puspanathan had to undergo an operation under general anaesthesia.

He was discharged from Changi General Hospital six days later, and was given a month of hospitalisation leave.

On Sept 21 that year, Fazil also stole a packet of shaving blades worth $56 from the FairPrice outlet at Block 29B, Chai Chee Avenue.

He placed it in the front of his trousers, covered it with his shirt, and walked around the supermarket for a while before walking out.

The store manager detained him.

For causing grievous hurt, Fazil could have been jailed for 10 years, fined and caned.

For theft, he could have been jailed for seven years and fined.

amirh@sph.com.sg


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