Grab passenger jailed for strangling driver after vomiting in car

SINGAPORE: A Singaporean man has been sentenced to five weeks’ jail after he attacked a Grab driver who confronted him over vomiting in the vehicle.

Ashton Jude Joseph, 34, was convicted of voluntarily causing hurt after a night of heavy drinking. He has indicated through his lawyer that he intends to appeal the sentence that was handed down on Thursday (26 June).

The incident took place last August. Joseph, who was a regular serviceman holding the rank of Captain in the Singapore Armed Forces at the time, had been out drinking with friends at a bar near Serangoon Road on the evening of 30 August 2024. Court documents revealed he consumed between six and seven pints of beer over several hours.

At about 3am, Joseph booked a Grab ride home. The 46-year-old driver, Lee Chee Wei, noticed that Joseph appeared intoxicated as he entered the car. During the trip, Joseph began feeling unwell and requested a plastic bag to vomit. Mr Lee passed him a bag and suggested pulling over so he could be sick safely, but Joseph declined.

When the ride ended around 3:30am, Lee stepped out to check the vehicle’s interior and discovered vomit on both the seats and the carpet. Mr Lee removed the soiled carpet and confronted Joseph, scolding him for soiling the car. The exchange quickly escalated into a heated argument.

Moments later, as Mr Lee leaned into the back seat, Joseph suddenly reached out and grabbed Lee by the neck, strangling him. Mr Lee struggled and shouted for help.

Two passers-by in a passing truck witnessed the commotion. As they pulled over, Joseph released his grip and walked away. The witnesses gave chase when Joseph began to run. He soon tripped and fell, and subsequently returned to the scene with the two men. The altercation and pursuit were captured on police body-worn cameras.

Mr Lee later reported pain in his neck and called the police at about 3:40am. Officers arrested Joseph at the scene. A blood test found his ethanol level was 124 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood.

During court proceedings, Joseph offered to pay $500 in compensation to Mr Lee and submitted a written apology.

However, the prosecution sought a sentence of between five and six weeks’ jail, noting that Joseph had a prior conviction for drink driving in 2016. The prosecution argued that his intoxication did not excuse the violent conduct and that the incident was aggravated by the earlier offence.

The judge agreed that a deterrent sentence was warranted and imposed five weeks’ imprisonment.

Under Singapore law, voluntarily causing hurt carries a maximum penalty of up to three years’ jail, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. Joseph remains out on bail pending the outcome of his appeal.