File this one under Siao Lang Town, because another loony happening has transpired in the not-so-sleepy district of Yishun.
It’s six months in jail for 39-year-old optometrist Richard Boo Peng Liang, who was found guilty of using criminal force on his next door neighbour, The Straits Times reports. “Criminal force” in this case refers to the fact that 60-year-old Koh Wei Li was pushed down the staircase by Boo following an argument that turned physical.
As neighbours on the fifth storey of Block 137 along Yishun Ring Road, the two men often clashed with each other over various issues, including Koh’s placement of flower pots at the common corridor. Boo had previously made reports against his neighbour, accusing Koh of breaking his glass windows and CCTV cameras installed outside his unit.
All the frustrations between them apexed on the morning of Sept 3, 2015, when the two had an argument at a staircase landing near their flats — it started when Boo spotted Koh walking along the common corridor, and the former asked what the latter was looking at.
The argument escalated. Boo shoved Koh on the shoulder, causing the elder man’s back to hit the lift door. Boo used his fist to block the victim’s chest, while Koh retaliated by pointing his middle finger at him.
It was when Koh turned to walk towards the lift that Boo pulled him back by the collar, sparking another row. But when Koh walked towards Boo, the optometrist pulled the 60-year-old’s shirt over his head and pushed him down the stairs.
The victim landed at the staircase landing between the fourth and fifth storey, and he sustained fractures to his face and collar, as well as a bruise on the forehead.
The police was called in a short while later.
In his defence, Boo denied pushing the victim — he claimed to have used his hands to ward off the victim. Boo alleged that Koh had acted aggressively as well, and had slapped him. The victim was also accused of pointing his middle finger a few times and challenging Boo to a fight.
The court sided with Koh, nonetheless, and slapped a six-month jail sentence on Boo, who is now appealing against the conviction and sentence.
Yishun, amirite?
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