First of three men in Bras Basah Complex murder jailed

The first of three men charged in last year's Bras Basah Complex murder was sentenced to four years and one month jail today. 

21-year old Muhammad Arsyil Johar, a full-time National Serviceman with the Civil Defence, was found guilty of voluntarily causing grievous hurt to 25-year-old computer technician Syed Ali Abdullah in April 2011. 

Muhammad Arsyil, who also stole from the victim, pleaded guilty to a second charge of attempted theft. 

He, along with 24-year-old Nur Iksan Abdul Wahid, and 23-year-old Muhammad Nazrul Ali, were originally accused of causing Syed Ali's death on the ground floor of Bras Basah Complex on 15 April 2011.

Their charges were later reduced to causing grievous hurt.

Investigations revealed they kicked and punched the victim, causing him to suffer fractures to his skull.

The assault did not let up even after the victim fell backwards and hit his head on the floor.

The court heard that Muhammad Arsyil also stepped on the victim's face and punched him four times.

After the attack, Muhammad Arsyil stole a plastic holder containing $20.15 and two cards from the victim.

The group then left the victim lying unconscious and continued their partying and drinking.

Syed Ali was found motionless in a pool of blood around his face later that night. 

He was pronounced dead at 5am while on the way to Singapore General Hospital. 

The trio were arrested shortly after. 

For voluntarily causing grievous hurt, Muhammad Arsyil could have been jailed up to ten years and fined or caned. 

- By Alvina Soh