SilkAir pilot fined S$1,000 for punching taxi driver

SINGAPORE: A SilkAir pilot was fined S$1,000 on Monday for punching a taxi driver at the coffee shop in a condominium.

48—year—old Ajmer Singh, who is also the chairman of the SilkAir branch of the Air Line Pilots Association Singapore, was found guilty of voluntarily causing hurt to cabbie Chua Hock Kwee.

58—year—old Chua, who was flanked by his lawyers, is Singh’s neighour.

The court heard that both men had bad blood between them.

Chua was drinking beer with a friend at a coffeeshop at Changi Gardens Condominium in May 2010.

He claimed Singh was "walking towards their table aggressively".

Chua also said Singh had accused him of being a gangster and then punched him, causing his dentures to fall out.

But Singh disputed that, saying that Chua "lunged" at him, and in the process, fell and hurt himself.

Chua, later told the media that he was unhappy with the outcome and may be pursuing the matter by filing a civil claim.

Singh is appealing against his conviction.

— CNA/ck