On 26 May 2025, a 67-year-old man, Soo Ah Seng, was sentenced to two months’ jail for launching a violent assault on a taxi driver in a carpark at Block 307 Hougang Avenue 5. The incident occurred on 1 August 2023, after a minor collision between the driver’s taxi and Soo’s personal mobility aid (PMA).
According to court proceedings, the victim, a 65-year-old taxi driver, had accidentally reversed into Soo, who was riding his PMA through the carpark. The collision caused Soo to fall off his mobility device. The taxi driver immediately apologised and offered assistance. However, Soo reacted by demanding S$2,000 in compensation, later revising his demand to S$1,000.
When the driver declined to pay, Soo escalated the situation. He retrieved a knife from his PMA compartment and charged at the driver. A bystander intervened and successfully disarmed Soo, preventing more serious harm. However, the situation did not de-escalate. Soo went into a nearby coffee shop, grabbed a mop, and returned to the carpark. He used the mop to strike the taxi driver multiple times.
The violent attack was captured on the taxi’s onboard camera and widely circulated online. The footage showed Soo repeatedly hitting the driver and yelling at him. As a result of the assault, the taxi driver suffered abrasions and a fractured right hand.
Police arrested Soo and charged him with two offences: causing hurt with a weapon and criminal intimidation. Two additional charges were considered during sentencing. Soo pleaded guilty to both principal charges.
During sentencing, the court took note of the fact that the incident was captured on video and that the injuries sustained by the victim included a fracture. The prosecution argued that Soo’s actions were disproportionate to the initial accident, particularly given the driver had shown remorse and attempted to assist.
The judge also noted that while Soo is a senior citizen with mobility challenges, this did not justify the level of aggression displayed. The use of a weapon and the fact that Soo retrieved a second object (the mop) to continue the attack were aggravating factors. These actions demonstrated premeditated escalation rather than a momentary lapse in judgment.
In delivering the two-month custodial sentence, the judge stated that public safety, especially in shared spaces like carparks, must be upheld, and aggressive retaliation cannot be tolerated. The sentence is intended to serve as a deterrent for similar confrontations stemming from road-related disputes.
The case underscores the importance of measured responses in the aftermath of accidents and serves as a warning that violence, particularly involving weapons will be met with serious consequences, even in non-fatal cases.
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