Jail for dishwasher who splashed hot water on colleague, causing 'likely permanent' burn marks on her face, scalp and chest
SINGAPORE — During a heated argument with a colleague, a dishwasher splashed hot water on the victim's face, scalp and chest, causing burn marks that are likely to be permanent.
Thang Jong Kiat, 67, was sentenced to six months’ jail on Tuesday (July 4) after pleading guilty to one charge of voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means.
He was also ordered to pay Ms Chan Ah Lan, 73, compensation of about S$1,000, which was the amount she paid for medical bills as a result of the incident.
At about 4.30pm on Dec 17 last year, Thang entered the dishwashing area of the Malaysia Boleh Food Court at Ang Mo Kio Hub to look for a plastic bag which he had left on a metal shelf.
Both Thang and Ms Chan were working as dishwashers there.
He placed the mug of hot water he was carrying on the same metal shelf in order to search for his bag.
Around the same time, the victim, who had just ended her dishwashing shift, was about to leave the area.
Upon seeing Thang rummaging through a basket which she had placed on the shelf, she confronted him and they started arguing.
Court documents did not state why they were arguing over the basket.
As the argument became more heated, the victim kicked Thang on the leg and also hit him on the arm.
In retaliation, Thang grabbed the mug he had set on the shelf and splashed the hot water near the victim's chest.
Angered by his actions, the victim charged at the accused and hit him twice on the arm.
Thang then held his left hand up to block her blows before splashing her again on the face with hot water from the mug.
The victim retreated momentarily before confronting Thang again.
She hit his left arm once more before walking out of the dishwashing area to report the incident to their manager.
The incident was captured by closed-circuit television cameras, court documents stated, without saying whether any action has been or will be taken against Ms Chan for her actions.
After the incident, she sought medical attention at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) on the same day.
She was discharged the following day.
Court documents showed that she suffered burns on 4.5 per cent of her body, primarily around her face, scalp, chest and right underarm.
A medical report from SGH stated that her scars are “likely to be permanent, however final scar outcomes are unpredictable”.
For voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous means, Thang could have been jailed up to seven years, fined, caned or with any combination of such punishments.
