A 26-year-old man, Zachary Chung Wei Yik, has been sentenced to one week in jail for assaulting his ex-girlfriend at her home. The altercation stemmed from an incident where the victim received flowers from another man at a nightclub. The court heard that the defendant’s violent outburst was prompted by jealousy, resulting in the ex-girlfriend enduring physical and emotional trauma.
According to the article from Channel News Asia, when sentencing the defendant, District Judge James Elisha Lee highlighted the severity of the assault and underscored the one-sided nature of the attack. Comparing the case to similar previous incidents, the judge emphasized that the injuries inflicted on the victim and the unprovoked nature of the assault warranted a jail term.
Throughout the court proceedings, it was revealed that the assault took place after Chung witnessed another patron buying flowers for his ex-girlfriend at the nightclub where she worked. This incident triggered Chung’s jealousy, leading him to spend a substantial amount on flowers for the victim and later assault her at her residence.
The victim, a 40-year-old South Korean woman, sustained injuries including bruising, swelling, and abrasions across her body, as well as displacement of cosmetic fillers in her face, significantly impacting her ability to work. The prosecution described the assault as “brutal,” arguing that Chung specifically targeted the victim’s head and face during the attack.
Despite making restitution for the victim’s medical expenses after the assault, it was revealed that Chung did so only after being informed that the victim lacked the necessary funds for her treatment. In his defense, Chung’s lawyer claimed that the assault was not premeditated and that his client was driven by a loss of emotional control.
The presiding judge ultimately determined that Chung’s actions crossed the threshold for imprisonment, citing the unprovoked and one-sided nature of the assault, as well as the extent of the victim’s injuries. Consequently, the defendant is scheduled to commence his sentence on Dec 13, 2024, following a deferment to settle work matters.
