Probation for youth who, along with father, attacked ex-girlfriend's boyfriend
A youth who, along with his father, attacked his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend was sentenced to 18 months’ probation on Monday (10 December).
The assault left the victim with a fractured eye socket.
Along with the probation term, 19-year-old Chionh Ze Xing’s sentence included other conditions such as 120 hours of community service and a curfew.
Chionh’s father, Chionh Boon Seng, 49, was jailed seven months in 2016 for his role in the incident along with other unrelated charges last year.
‘Most unfortunate’ case: Judge
On Monday, District Judge May Mesenas commented that this one of the “most unfortunate” cases she had seen, given that the co-accused is the accused’s father.
“You’re meant to be a role model, not drag him down,” the judge told the elder Chionh, who was present in court for his son’s sentencing.
The younger Chionh had previously told the court that his father was suffering from depression and had not taken his medication at the time of the offence.
The youth pleaded guilty to two counts of voluntarily causing hurt in September. One count of criminal breach of trust, committed while he was working at a convenience store, was taken into account for his sentencing.
Chionh committed the offences while he was on probation for unlicensed moneylending offences in 2014.
Love triangle
According to court documents, Chionh had arranged to meet two men – Yang Ziyi, 29; and Aaron Teo Jin Wei, 20 – at a flat on Teck Whye Lane at about 5.30pm on 29 May 2016.
The meeting had been called to address Chionh’s relationship with Teo’s girlfriend, who had previously dated Chionh.
According to a 2016 AsiaOne report, Teo was angry that his girlfriend – then aged 14 – had stayed overnight at Chionh’s house and wanted to settle the matter with Chionh.
Chionh also told his father about the meeting and the older man decided to accompany his son. He brought along 91cm-long wooden pole wrapped in newspaper.
Teo and Chionh met at a badminton court near the flat.
Chionh approached Teo aggressively, according to the prosecution. The elder Chionh, who arrived later, then swung the pole at Teo.
The younger Chionh punched Teo in his eye, breaking his spectacles and causing a cut on Teo’s eyelid.
Teo momentarily lost consciousness and fell. Both men continued to assault Teo while he was on the ground. He was hit by the pole several times on his forearm and shoulder and also kicked.
Chionh and his father stopped their attack only after a passer-by intervened.
Yang, who had heard Teo’s cries, was also attacked by the father-son duo when he tried to help. The younger Chionh punched Yang’s face multiple times while his father hit his face three times with the bamboo pole, causing the victim’s nose to bleed. Yang later escaped to a carpark.
The police were called and the younger Chionh surrendered himself at the scene.
Yang sustained bruises to his forehead and abrasions. His medical bills amounted to $909.65, while the repair cost for his damaged mobile phone came up to $278.40.
Teo sustained a fracture to his left eye socket, bruises over his right forearm and abrasions on his skull. His medical bills amounted to $108.
The younger Chionh’s lawyer said at an earlier hearing that his client had paid compensation to the victims.
For voluntarily causing hurt, Chionh could have been jailed up to two years and fined a maximum $5,000 or both.
Related story:
Youth who attacked 2 men together with his father admits to assault
