
Man who put Grab driver in a chokehold after argument about vomit in car given jail
Ashton Jude Joseph, 34, was handed five weeks' jail on Thursday (Jun 26) after he pleaded guilty to one count of causing hurt to the driver, 46-year-old Lee Chee Wei.
Joseph, a Singaporean, was a regular serviceman in the Singapore Armed Forces holding the rank of Captain at the time of the offences.
His lawyer told the court that he intends to appeal the sentence.
According to court documents, Joseph met a group of friends at a bar near Serangoon Road at about 7pm on Aug 30 last year. He drank about six or seven pints of beer through the night.
At about 3am the next day, a Grab booking was made to send Joseph home, and Mr Lee was the assigned driver. Mr Lee noticed that Joseph, who sat in the backseat, was drunk.
While on the way home, Joseph felt nauseated and asked Mr Lee for a plastic bag. Mr Lee handed over a plastic bag, which Joseph then vomited into.
The driver offered to stop the car at the roadside for Joseph to finish vomiting, but the latter declined the suggestion.
At about 3.30am, the car arrived at the destination and Joseph alighted.
Mr Lee also alighted to check if there was vomit in his car and noticed traces on the seats and carpets.
Upset, Mr Lee removed the carpets and started to scold Joseph, triggering an argument over the next few minutes.
As Mr Lee returned to his car and reached for the backseat, Joseph grabbed the back of his neck, prompting the victim to shout for help.
Joseph then put Mr Lee in a chokehold. He stopped as a van arrived at the scene a while later, and walked away.
Two witnesses who alighted from the van chased Joseph, who started to run but tripped and fell, injuring his nose. Both witnesses and Joseph then returned to the car.
The altercation was captured by two PolCams near the scene.
Mr Lee felt pain in his neck due to the incident and called the police at about 3.40am.
The authorities arrived a short while later and arrested Joseph. His blood sample was found to contain 124 milligrams of ethanol in 100ml of blood.
Joseph has since offered S$500 (US$392) as compensation and a written apology to Mr Lee.
The prosecution sought five to six weeks' jail. Deputy Public Prosecutor Nicole Tay said Joseph's reaction, although not entirely unprovoked, was disproportionate.
Ms Tay pointed out that Joseph had been convicted on one count of drink driving in 2016, among other charges.
District Judge Kamala Ponnampalam found that a jail term was warranted in this case and sentenced Joseph accordingly.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Straits Times
Thai government unveils extensive financial relief for border conflict victims
Find out what's new on ST website and app. More than 100,000 people have fled the bloodiest border fighting between Thailand and Cambodia in a decade, Bangkok said on July 25. Follow our live coverage here. BANGKOK - The Thai government has announced a comprehensive package of relief measures for individuals and officials affected by the recent escalation of conflict along the Thai-Cambodian border . The announcement comes as ministries coordinate a wide-ranging response, including financial assistance and a significant diplomatic downgrade. Mr Jirayu Huangsap, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, confirmed that interim Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, has instructed relevant agencies to swiftly compile casualty figures. This includes details of citizens and personnel killed, injured, and those who suffered property damage. This information will then be sent to provincial authorities to finalise numbers for immediate financial compensation and relief. Initial aid will be drawn from the Prime Minister's Office Fund to provide immediate relief, with further comprehensive measures to be rapidly assessed and returned to the Ministry of Interior and Prime Minister's Office for approval. The Ministry of Finance has mandated specialised financial institutions to implement emergency financial measures aimed at alleviating hardship caused by the border unrest. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore HDB resale price growth moderates in Q2, more flats sold Singapore MRT service changes needed to modify 3 East-West Line stations on Changi Airport stretch: LTA Singapore Etomidate found in blood samples of 2 people involved in fatal Punggol Road accident in May: HSA Asia Live: Thailand-Cambodia border clashes continue for second day Asia Cambodia border clash heaps pressure on embattled Thai PM Singapore Ex-cop faces 15 charges over sex offences involving at least 6 boys, allegedly made child porn Business GIC posts 3.8% annualised return over 20 years despite economic uncertainties Singapore Kopi, care and conversation: How this 20-year-old helps improve the well-being of the elderly These initiatives encompass debt moratoria, reduced interest rates, and the provision of low-interest loans. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira stated that the unrest has severely impacted the safety and well-being of local residents, with significant economic and social repercussions for surrounding communities. The conflict has led to considerable property damage and severely disrupted the livelihoods and businesses of people in the affected areas . Acknowledging these severe impacts, the government has prioritised urgent care for its citizens, instructing various financial institutions to implement a broad spectrum of relief measures. The Ministry of Finance affirmed its commitment to mitigating the conflict's impact, ensuring that affected citizens and businesses have adequate access to funding for their livelihoods, operations, and recovery. These comprehensive measures are designed to reach a wide range of beneficiaries, including farmers, small entrepreneurs, and the general public, aiming to reduce costs, enhance liquidity, and support the repair and restoration of assets to enable efficient business resumption. Affected individuals can apply for assistance through the relevant financial institutions immediately, with the Ministry of Finance closely monitoring the situation to introduce further appropriate measures as needed. Key financial support initiatives include: Government Savings Bank (GSB): Offering principal payment deferment until December 2025 for affected individuals (with partial interest payments), along with two low-interest retail loan programmes and a specific loan scheme for SMEs, including fee waivers Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC): Providing emergency expense loans up to 50,000 baht (S$1,980) (for farmers, with a 6-month interest grace period) and rehabilitation loans up to 500,000 baht for repairs and quality of life improvement Government Housing Bank (GHB): Introduced a 200 million baht project offering highly preferential interest rates (as low as 0.01 per cent per annum) for borrowers with severe injuries, permanent disabilities, or damaged/destroyed homes Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand (SME D Bank): Launched a 'Pause, Reduce, Extend, Add' programme for affected SMEs, including principal payment suspensions, reduced instalments, extended repayment periods, and low-interest capital loans Export-Import Bank of Thailand (EXIM Thailand): Providing urgent relief measures such as extended debt repayment periods, reduced interest rates, and increased temporary credit lines, alongside various liquidity and cost reduction measures for new market entry and export support Islamic Bank of Thailand (IBank): Implemented 'IBank Never Leaves You' measures, offering principal and profit payment suspensions and additional funding for home and business rehabilitation with favourable profit rates Thai Credit Guarantee Corporation (TCG): Offering payment deferrals for guarantee fees and instalments for existing clients, and new credit guarantee schemes (SMEs Power Trade & Biz, SMEs Micro Biz) worth billions of baht to provide crucial liquidity In response to the volatile border situation, several key ministries have been issued specific directives: Ministry of Education: Ordered the temporary closure of schools in high-risk areas Ministry of Public Health: Transformed local hospitals into temporary field hospitals and successfully evacuated all patients and injured individuals to safer facilities Ministry of Social Development and Human Security: Tasked with overseeing initial relief efforts and basic humanitarian assistance Ministry of Digital Economy and Society: Instructed to monitor and correct the spread of false information related to the situation Ministry of Interior: Directed to collaborate with the military in affected areas to ensure comprehensive public care Diplomatic downgrade and financial support On the diplomatic front, the government has confirmed a downgrade in relations with Cambodia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been instructed to recall Thailand's Ambassador to Cambodia and to send the Cambodian Ambassador to Thailand back to Phnom Penh . Mr Jirayu described this as 'the most severe measure in diplomacy'. THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

Straits Times
6 hours ago
- Straits Times
Microsoft Singapore managing director Lee Hui Li dies while on sabbatical
Find out what's new on ST website and app. SINGAPORE - Lee Hui Li, managing director of Microsoft Singapore, has died, shortly after going on sabbatical from her role in May. Her age could not be independently verified. An obituary seen by The Business Times stated that Ms Lee passed away on July 24. The wake will be held at the Church of St Ignatius on King's Road from July 25, with the funeral scheduled for July 28, the obituary read. 'Hui Li was a visionary leader whose impact on Microsoft and the broader technology landscape in Singapore was profound. Throughout her career, Hui Li was known not only for her strategic brilliance, but for her warmth, authenticity, and unwavering belief in the potential of others and of Singapore,' a Microsoft spokesperson told The Business Times. 'She mentored countless leaders, built inclusive teams, and inspired all of us to lead with purpose. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Hui Li's family, friends, and colleagues,' the spokesperson said. Ms Lee was appointed managing director of Microsoft Singapore in March 2022, according to her LinkedIn profile. She had announced a sabbatical in May, without disclosing a reason. She had shared on her LinkedIn page two months ago that she would be starting a new position. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore HDB resale price growth moderates in Q2, more flats sold Singapore Etomidate found in blood samples of 2 people involved in fatal Punggol Road accident in May: HSA Asia Live: Thailand-Cambodia border clashes continue for second day Business GIC posts 3.8% annualised return over 20 years despite economic uncertainties Business GIC's focus on long-term value aims to avoid permanent loss amid intensifying economic changes Opinion No idle punt: Why Singapore called out cyber saboteur UNC3886 by name Singapore Prison officer accused of taking bribes to smuggle nude photos, prescription drugs to inmate Sport 'We can match Malaysia or do even better', say Singapore's divers Before taking on the top Singapore role, Ms Lee was general manager of Asia-Pacific enterprise commercial at Microsoft from July 2021 to March 2022, where she led regional sales and industry teams. Her career spanned 27 years and included senior roles at IBM, Symantec, Dell, HP and EY, according to her profile. Ms Lee was based in Singapore and held a degree in economics from the National University of Singapore. In a December 2024 interview with BT, Ms Lee outlined Microsoft's plans to accelerate artificial intelligence adoption in Singapore through customised, industry-specific solutions for large organisations. In a separate interview in April that year, she reflected on her experiences as a female, Asian leader in the male-dominated tech sector. She spoke of her commitment to building a workplace rooted in diversity and inclusivity, and to fostering an environment where differing perspectives are encouraged to challenge groupthink. THE BUSINESS TIMES


CNA
17 hours ago
- CNA
Public warned against water activities near Tuas Second Link after chemical tank falls into sea
SINGAPORE: Members of the public are advised to refrain from engaging in primary water contact activities and recreational fishing in the waters surrounding the Tuas Second Link, including areas near Raffles Marina, said the National Environment Agency (NEA) on Thursday (Jul 24). The advisory was issued after a chemical tank fell into the sea from the Second Link on Thursday evening after a collision involving two heavy tankers on the Malaysian side of the checkpoint, the agency added. NEA and other agencies were alerted by their Malaysian counterparts to the incident. "We understand that the other tanker remained intact with no chemical spill on the bridge," said NEA. The chemical tank contained propylene glycol: a non-hazardous, biodegradable liquid. The chemical is commonly used in food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. "Propylene glycol may cause low dissolved oxygen levels in the Lim Chu Kang fish farming zone," said NEA. NEA said that the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has alerted fish farms in the area to be vigilant, have mitigation measures on standby, and to notify SFA if there are abnormal fish and water conditions. NEA added that it is actively monitoring water quality in the affected area.