In a shocking incident that unfolded in Singapore, a dispute over donated clothing at a church led to a man hurling scissors at another individual, leaving a visible cut on the victim's cheek. The dispute erupted at Yio Chu Kang Chapel, exposing the darker side of community disagreements.

Tan Kay Leong, a 46-year-old man with a troubling past, was sentenced to 22 weeks in jail on September 19. This ruling came not only for the scissors attack but also for an unrelated theft where he snatched groceries worth approximately S$78 (around US$61) from a supermarket.

The dramatic scene escalated around 10:20 PM on August 6 of last year when Tan found himself locked in a heated argument with a 58-year-old over the clothing items. During the confrontation, he resorted to using scissors from a nearby basket as a weapon, inflicting a cut on his opponent.

Witnesses, including a chapel caretaker, rushed to intervene, summoning the police to resolve the chaotic situation. Thankfully, the victim only required a plaster to stop the bleeding and did not seek further medical assistance.

In court, the prosecutor described Tan as a repeat offender with a history of theft, dating back to 1995, and highlighted his previous jail sentence in 2022 for causing injury to another person. Tan's lack of remorse and repeated offenses prompted a request for a 24-week sentence from the prosecution, illustrating a concerning pattern of disregard for the law.

In contrast, Tan's defense lawyer, newly minted Ariffin Sha, requested a lesser sentence of 18 weeks, emphasizing his client’s recognition of his wrongdoing and his aspiration for a better future. Ariffin shared that Tan has faced homelessness since 2017 but recently secured a rental flat, igniting hopes for a fresh start.

Despite his current wheelchair-bound condition, Tan dreams of pursuing a career as a cook, a passion that he intends to develop through classes once he recovers from his health issues. His lawyer assured the court that Tan plans to make restitution for the theft after serving his sentence.

Under the circumstances of using a weapon to cause harm, Tan faced potential penalties of up to seven years in prison, fines, or caning. Meanwhile, for his theft charge, similar maximum penalties loom.

This case serves as a stark reminder of how quickly disputes can spiral out of control, reminding us of the importance of conflict resolution within the community.