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SINGAPORE : Seven men, who made their living operating illegal gambling stalls in the back lanes of Geylang, have been jailed between 12 years and 20 years for their role in an attack which left a man dead.
The seven, aged between 17 and 30, were originally charged with Seah Boon Lye's murder, but pleaded guilty to the reduced manslaughter charges.
Among the attackers, Suhardi Ali received the heaviest punishment.
Justice Woo Bih Li ruled that he was deemed "a leader among the accused persons" and landed the first blow that started the attack.
The High Court Judge also noted Suhardi was previously jailed six years and caned 12 strokes for another gang-related death.
Suhardi, also known as "Baby Boy", was jailed for 20 years and ordered to be caned 18 strokes.
Six others - Sufian Nordin, Muhammad Haziq Mohamed, Luo Weiqiang, Muhammad Syukur Mohamed Salleh, Toh Huang Shee, Ahmad Suhaimi Ismail - were each jailed for 12 years and ordered to be caned 10 strokes.
The attack arose from two disputes - Mr Seah's botched purchase of illicit drugs from one of his attackers, and a missing sum of S$200, which was supposedly pocketed by a gang runner.
A "settlement talk" was then arranged on 23 February 2008.
But the talks failed and a fight ensued.
The gang set upon Mr Seah, who later died of multiple injuries.
Justice Woo noted that Mr Seah and his brother Boon Heng "were not entirely innocent victims".
The deceased was armed with a metal rod and the pair had contributed to the events which led to the attack.
But the High Court Judge rejected various defence counsel arguments that the attackers were armed solely for the purpose of defence as a result of past incidents.
He also ruled reformative training as "not appropriate" for four attackers who were below the age of 21 years.
Justice Woo said "a strong signal must be sent to those who are minded to group or gang together to attack others in a public place that such attacks will be treated severely".
The seven could have been sentenced to a maximum of life imprisonment. - CNA/ms
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