SINGAPORE, Oct 11 — A 39-year-old man who punched and fractured another father’s face during a dispute at an indoor playground has been sentenced to nine months in prison here.

Wong Chun Xiong was also ordered on Oct 9 to pay about S$408 (RM1,300) in compensation for the attack, which occurred at the Bouncy Paradise playground in Pandan Gardens on Sept 3, 2023, The Straits Times reported

The dispute began after Wong’s son complained that he had been scolded by an adult. Wong and his family then approached the 56-year-old victim, who was in a ball pit with his own child. 

After a verbal exchange, the other father got out of the ball pit, and the confrontation escalated with pushing and gesturing. 

Wong then threw a single punch with his right fist, striking the left side of the victim’s face and causing him to fall backward. The victim suffered multiple facial fractures and was given 14 days of medical leave.

At trial, Wong argued his actions were justified under the right of private defence, claiming the victim had acted aggressively.

However, the prosecution countered that Wong was the aggressor, noting that he had held the victim’s arms, pushed him, and tried to trip him before throwing the punch. 

Deputy Public Prosecutor Clara Low described the assault as “brutal and one-sided,” pointing out that the victim never attempted to fight back and was physically smaller and nearly 20 years older than Wong.

In his judgment, District Judge Eugene Teo rejected the self-defence claim, stating that the right is only exercisable in limited circumstances and that any action taken must be reasonable.

After reviewing CCTV footage, he concluded that Wong was not entitled to use force in that manner.

In pointed final remarks, Teo noted that the law protects everyone, regardless of age or strength. 

“It may be difficult for Mr Wong to really appreciate this because he is in his prime now," the judge said. “But the day will come when his youth and vitality leave him, and he may find himself in another similar interaction with a much younger man.” 

He added that the same legal standard would protect Wong if that younger man were to lash out at him.

The sentencing is the second case in a week involving a parent being held accountable for a violent reaction in a children's play area. On the same day, another man was jailed for three weeks for slapping a six-year-old boy at a different mall playground.