Four men jailed for Circular Road fatal attack
Four men were jailed between one-and-a-half and four-and-a-half years on Monday (16 January) for their part in a fatal attack at Circular Road in December 2015.
Three of the men were also given between six and 12 strokes of the cane for their involvement in the attack that led to the death of American stuntman John Denley Nelson, 30, in the case that involved 18 accused.
Muhammad Nazmir Osman, 24, received the heaviest sentence of the four for rioting. District Judge Lorraine Ho sentenced Nazmir, who was represented by lawyer Ashwin Ganapathy, to four-and-a-half years’ jail and 12 strokes of the cane.
Muhamad Adnan Abdullah, 24, and Masazlie Mohamed Salleh, 42, were sentenced to two-and-a-half-years jail and given six strokes of the cane each, while Ahmad Jumaidi Salleh, 24, was sentenced to one-and-a-half years’ in jail.
Nazmir also convicted and fined $30,000 for assisting an unlicensed moneylender.
Two other men were dealt with earlier while the rest of the accused are expected to be sentenced soon.
The incident happened when the four who were sentenced Monday, along with their friends, had gathered for drinks at a pub at Circular Road. A couple who were also there got into a dispute and started screaming and pushing at each other.
The fight attracted the attention of four other patrons, who were assaulted by the first group for “looking at the dispute” and attempting to intervene.
The fight spilled over the pub and led to another fight at Circular Road. Denley tried to stop the fight but he was instead punched and fell to the ground, with his head hitting the kerb.
Denley, who was working at Universal Studios Singapore, was hospitalised for a week and died on New Year’s Day from severe head injuries.
In passing her judgement, Judge Ho said Nazmir, who was previously jailed for similar rioting offences, was seen as an instigator.
The riot caused a series of violent acts on Christmas Eve, which was supposed to be a happy occasion, Judge Ho said.
“I hope that the family members (of the accused) who are here will support them and help them turn away from violence and over a new leaf.”
