How much does a prata cost?
A quick search on the internet shows that it’s anywhere between 80 cents to $1.20, and slightly more if it’s egg, cheese and/or mushroom prata.
That’s affordable right?
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And it shouldn’t cost you a limb or a one-year jail term right?
Trio Demanded Free Prata after Drinking
According to Straits Times, a trio, upset with a cook, Mr Revi Jose Vibin, 33, who had denied them free prata, slashed him with a knife and left him with a deep wound.
The court heard that 59-year-old Balachandran Kothandapani, together with Murugan Joseph, 45 and 5-year-old Farizal Rahmat, frequented the prata stall at Block 710 Clementi West Street 2, where they often demanded free food.
It wasn’t stated if the trio received free food prior to the assault.
Drank Before The Incident
On July 29 last year, the trio had consumed alcohol at a nearby pavilion before proceeding to the prata store at 5:13 pm.
(One can only wonder if the alcohol is free as well)
Both Murugan and Balachandran approached Mr Revi’s colleague to order prata but were not given any as they had no money.
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They then left the place.
Murugan and Farizal returned to the stall for a second time at around 5.30pm and were turned down again.
All three men returned about 10 minutes later and were angered when Mr Revi intervened.
The trio, then, followed him around the neighbourhood after Mr Revi had left the prata store.
The Attack
While tailing Mr Revi, Balachandran, at some point in time, left to retrieve a knife with a 19cm-long blade.
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When Mr Revi returned to the stall, the men attacked him.
According to Deputy Public Prosecutor Alexandria Shamini Joseph: “During the confrontation, the knife was passed around the group and the accused passed the knife to Murugan.”
“Murugan, using the knife in his hand… then intentionally slashed the victim on the left side of his head.”
The police were subsequently alerted and Mr Revi was taken to the National University Hospital.
He was discharged the next day after receiving treatment and given 14 days of medical leave.
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Grow Up
For his part in the crime, Balachandran Kothandapani was sentenced to a year in jail.
He cannot be caned as he is over 50 years old.
Before passing sentence, District Judge Mathew Joseph berated Balachandran, saying his conduct was “totally unconscionable” and that he was not “an immature 16-year-old.”
According to ST: “He pleaded guilty on March 28 to being part of the group that assaulted the Indian national in July last year, and to possessing the knife used in the attack.”
Both Murugan and Farizal were sentenced earlier in court.
Offenders convicted of using a weapon to commit assault can be jailed for up to seven years and fined or caned.
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In other words, Balachandran’s prata demands weren’t Free of Charge (FOC).
A criminal charge that is.
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