Tourist jailed, fined for assaulting elderly taxi driver
A 46-year-old Solomon Islander was jailed four weeks at the State Courts on Tuesday (30 October) for assaulting a 64-year-old taxi driver.
Tourist Fred Conning Tavuata pleaded guilty to one count of voluntarily causing hurt. Another charge of being drunk and incapable was taken into consideration for his sentencing.
Tavuata was also ordered to pay $148.90 to Chua Choon Seng in compensation for the latter’s medical expenses and taxi fare. As he was unable to pay the sum, he will be serving an additional week in jail.
Obliging cabby
According to court documents, Tavuata flagged down Chua’s taxi along Lorong 18 Geylang at about 1.45am on 26 June. He asked to be take to Hotel 81 Bugis at Middle Road.
Upon reaching the hotel, Tavuata told Chua that he did not have cash to pay the $33.90 fare. He then asked Chua to drive him to a nearby ATM and Chua obliged.
Chua took Tavuata to Bras Basah Complex, where he parked his taxi along Cashin Street and accompanied Tavuata to the ATM. However, Tavuata found that he had left his ATM card at the hotel and Chua agreed to drive him back there.
When they reached Cashin Street, Tavuata refused to board Chua’s taxi and began assaulting the cabby. He punched Chua multiple times, causing him to fall, and then continued to kick the victim while he was on the ground.
Shocked by the attack, Chua got up and fled but Tavuata chased him. Tavuata then kicked Chua again, causing to the latter to fall once more, and then proceeded to continue kicking Chua.
Accused intoxicated at the time
Following the assault, Tavuata walked to North Bridge Road to flag down another taxi. Chua followed him and then called for the police.
Upon arriving at the scene, police officers ascertained that Tavuata was drunk and incapable of taking care of himself. He was then placed under arrest.
Tavuata’s assault on Chua was also by captured by a CCTV camera at Bras Basah Complex.
Chua was later found to have abrasions on his limbs and little finger. He incurred $115 in medical expenses.
For voluntarily causing hurt, Tavuata could have been jailed up to two years, fined up to $5,000, or both.
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