A violent assault stemming from alleged jealousy over business success has resulted in a 62-year-old man being sentenced to 21 weeks in prison. On May 16, 2025, the accused, Tan Lai Heng (name transliterated), was sentenced after he pleaded guilty to one charge of voluntarily causing grievous hurt. The incident took place on August 27, 2022, at around 4:41 PM along Block 270 of Queen Street in Singapore.
Tan was working as an assistant at a dry goods and traditional medicine store named Jin Ma. The victim, a 63-year-old man, is the co-owner of a neighbouring shop called Qian Yuan Dry Goods. According to court findings, tensions had been brewing between the two businesses. The victim’s store had benefited from lower rental due to government subsidies, enabling it to sell products at lower prices and attract more customers. This reportedly led to resentment from the neighbouring store.
On the day of the incident, the victim was serving customers inside his shop when Tan suddenly stormed in. Without warning or provocation, Tan grabbed the victim’s right shoulder from behind and punched him directly in the face. As the victim tried to react, a second punch struck his face. Tan then forcefully dragged the victim out of the store and continued his assault in full view of stunned bystanders, some of whom fled in fear.
An unidentified male member of the public attempted to intervene, but Tan clung tightly to the victim’s shirt and refused to stop. Shockingly, the victim’s elderly mother was present during the attack. Distressed by the scene, she attempted to stop Tan but stumbled and fell at his feet. Despite her presence, Tan continued to rain blows on the victim, dragging him aside to continue the assault.
Eventually, the victim’s mother got up and tried again to stop the beating. A female bystander also stepped in, at which point Tan finally ceased the attack.
The victim was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with serious injuries. He suffered a skull fracture that caused a depression in his head, subarachnoid hemorrhaging (bleeding in the space surrounding the brain), and a torn forehead that required seven stitches. The forehead wound left a permanent scar.
Since the attack, the victim has experienced psychological trauma. He reported feeling ashamed of his facial scar and avoids public appearances without a hat. He also suffers from recurring nightmares of being attacked. Fearful of encountering Tan again, he has refrained from regular work at his store and only assists occasionally when staff are unavailable.
Prior to the sentencing, the victim shared with the media that his shop had often faced harassment from the neighbouring business, allegedly due to jealousy over their higher sales. Despite lodging several complaints, no effective action was taken. The victim said his decision to help at the shop stemmed from concern for his elderly mother, who continued to be present at the store despite the hostile environment.
The court recognised the attack as deliberate and unprovoked, carried out in a public setting with multiple witnesses present. It also acknowledged the long-term impact on the victim, both physically and psychologically. Taking these factors into account, the court imposed a 21-week jail term on Tan for voluntarily causing grievous hurt.
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