Samurai sword-wielding man at Buangkok jailed 18 months: report
SINGAPORE — The man who used a samurai sword to slash a pedestrian and several cars near Buangkok Square mall in March was sentenced to 18 months’ jail and six strokes of the cane on Tuesday (27 December).
The Straits Times reported that Fadhil Yusop slashed the pedestrian, Kumarapeli Arachchige Amila Chinthana, three times and caused the victim lacerations on his left arm and shoulder during the attack on 14 March.
The 38-year-old also damaged passing cars at the traffic junction in front of the mall with his sword, which was 63 centimetres long. The cars incurred damages costing up to $1,000 in repair.
Fadhil pleaded guilty to three charges including a rash act endangering life and voluntarily causing hurt by a dangerous weapon. Another two charges were considered in sentencing.
Consumed unknown pills before leaving home
In an earlier statement, the police said Fadhil had allegedly consumed some unknown pills before leaving his home with a sword and reach the mall at about 2.15pm on 14 March.
He had an altercation with a few members of the public at the lift lobby of the Housing Board block where he resided, before walking in the middle of Buangkok Crescent with his sword in his right hand.
It was there where he used his weapon to hit four passing cars. At the traffic junction in front of Buangkok Square mall, he swung the weapon at Chinthana, who fought back and managed to pin Fadhil down.
Passers-by who saw the commotion also rushed forward to restrain Fadhil until the police arrived. Chinthara was taken to hospital with abrasions and cuts and given three days' medical leave, incurring bills of $110.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Daniel Ling asked for 18 to 24 months' jail for Fadhil, with six strokes of the cane. He added that Fadhil had previous convictions for offences like criminal intimidation and voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from his duty.
Lawyer Anand Nalachandran, who took on the case under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, asked for a lower jail term for Fadhil.
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