Teen trio who left victim brain-damaged convicted
Reuters file photo
SINGAPORE — Their punches and kicks outside a Tampines convenience store earlier this year left their victim brain-damaged and bedridden.
Describing the incident as “one of the worst cases” he had seen, District Judge Mathew Joseph yesterday convicted teenagers Mohammad Noor Helmi Mohammed Herman, 19, Mohammad Zaidi Zahad, 17, and Muhammad Syazwandi Abdullah, 16, of voluntarily causing grievous hurt to their 39-year-old victim.
At about 3.30am on March 6, the trio and a fourth person, Ahmad Sholihin Mosa, 23, visited the 7-Eleven store in Tampines Street 23 to buy food and drinks. According to Helmi, the victim, Mr See Chien Hwa, asked him for cigarettes and slapped him on the back after emerging from the store. Mr See sat on a bench and started shouting at the teenagers and Sholihin. The victim tried to approach the four of them, but was stopped by his friend, according to the attackers.
Unhappy that they were shouted at, Helmi popped 10 Nitrazepam tablets, a controlled drug, and asked the other three if they wanted to beat up the man.
They approached their target and Helmi swung a Guinness glass bottle, which he had found earlier, at Mr See’s head and kicked him, causing him to collapse on the ground. They repeatedly kicked him in the face, knee, stomach and groin. They also punched Mr See, who did not retaliate. The group then fled, but Helmi returned and went on to punch the victim repeatedly.
Two medical reports for the victim were presented in the community court yesterday. In April, the doctor found that he was unable to follow commands and to give a response to verbal instructions. “He is now incapable of giving any meaningful communication verbally or physically. He is also unable to make a decision for himself in relation to the matter because of brain damage,” stated the report.
Another report dated Oct 20 noted that Mr See remains bedridden and unable to communicate meaningfully. Doctors are unable to determine how his recovery would be, the court heard.
The judge called for Reformative Training Centre suitability reports on Zaidi and Syazwandi, who pleaded guilty to one count of voluntarily causing grievous hurt.
Noting the serious charges faced by Helmi, the judge said he should be given legal aid. His sentencing was adjourned to Nov 18.
Helmi was convicted of voluntarily causing grievous hurt and other charges, including possession of a dangerous weapon, committing a rash act of throwing objects from the fifth floor of a building, and consumption of a controlled drug.
For voluntarily causing grievous hurt, they could each be jailed up to 10 years and be fined or caned.
Sholihin’s case will be heard today.
MEDICAL REPORTS ON VICTIM
- Two medical reports for the victim were presented in the community court yesterday.
- In April, the doctor found that he was unable to follow commands and to give a response to verbal instructions. "He is now incapable of giving any meaningful communication verbally or physically. He is also unable to make a decision for himself in relation to the matter because of brain damage," stated the report.
- Another report dated Oct 20 noted that Mr See remains bedridden and unable to communicate meaningfully. Doctors are unable to determine how his recovery would be, the court heard.
