Man jailed over rioting that led to American stuntman’s death
AFP file photo
SINGAPORE — A 27-year-old man was jailed 28 months and given six strokes of the cane on Wednesday (Dec 14) for rioting in the early hours of Christmas eve last year, which led to the death of bystander John Nelson Denley, an American stuntman working at Universal Studios Singapore.
Muhammad Saiful Rizal Mohamed Hanifa — the second of 15 to be dealt with in this case — was sentenced for one count of rioting outside Mogambo Bar along Circular Road at about 2.40am that day. The series of violent attacks, which lasted till past 3am, also injured four other onlookers who were out for drinks in the area.
“This was a completely unprovoked and senseless attack by the accused persons on innocent passers-by,” charged the prosecution, who sought a sentence of 30 to 36 months’ jail and six strokes of the cane for Saiful.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Li Yihong said Saiful’s offence was aggravated by its large number of perpetrators and the fact that it took place in a public location. “A strong message must be sent to the public at large that alcohol-fuelled violence cannot be tolerated,” she added.
In sentencing Saiful, District Judge Eugene Teo noted that the role he played was “significantly less” than his co-accused persons, but nevertheless condemned crimes involving alcohol-fuelled violence.
The court was told that Saiful and a group of friends — many of whom have links with secret society groups here — had gathered for drinks at Beer Inn that night when a couple among them got into a dispute.
Muhammad Haziq Hashim, 24, and Norazilah Zainol, 23, started shouting and pushing each other.
The commotion attracted the attention of four fellow patrons, who were assaulted by the gang for “looking at the dispute” and attempting to intervene.
Saiful joined the fray by grabbing the neck of one of the victims, Akash Kukreja, and pinning him to the ground. A medical report later certified Akash, 31, to have suffered abrasions and contusions to his face and ears. After this first fight was averted, Saiful and two of his co-accused persons left the group.
The rest of the group, which had planned to head to another club, was then confronted by three individuals, including Akash.
This sparked off another chase-and-attack along Circular Road.
Denley, who was uninvolved in any of the fights, tried to step in to stop the brawl, but was punched and fell to the ground, with his head hitting the kerb.
Denley was hospitalised in the neurointensive care unit for a week before his family decided to remove respiratory support. He died on New Year’s Day from severe head injuries.
Haziq, and two others — Masazlie Mohamed Salleh, 42, and Muhammad Khalis Ramlee, 24 — are facing murder charges. Muhammad Izzuandy Yusof, 24, who was originally charged with murder, was sentenced on Dec 6 to 30 months’ jail and six strokes of the cane for rioting.
Saiful could have been jailed up to seven years with caning for rioting.
