A 33-year-old man was sentenced on October 8 to 15 years in prison and 10 strokes of the cane for the fatal assault of an elderly man in Serangoon North in November 2024. Mohamed Serajudeen Mohamed Yusoff pleaded guilty to culpable homicide not amounting to murder in connection with the death of 69-year-old John Andrews.

The incident began when Serajudeen, heavily intoxicated, collided with Andrews outside a supermarket at Block 151 Serangoon North Avenue 2 in the afternoon of November 19, 2024. The two men engaged in an argument which then continued into a nearby back alley. Dashcam footage captured the younger and taller Serajudeen landing multiple punches to Andrews’ head, forcing him to the ground, followed by several stomps on the victim’s upper body. Andrews sustained severe head injuries and died in hospital 10 days later.

Justice Andre Mamian described the attack as “the epitome of senseless violence” during sentencing. The judge noted the victim’s vulnerability and the excessive intoxication of Serajudeen, who had consumed several cans of beer and large amounts of whiskey after finishing his shift at around 10:30 a.m. that day. The judge rejected defense claims that Andrews’ participation in the dispute diminished his vulnerability, emphasizing that Serajudeen had delivered all the blows.

Prior to the fatal assault, Serajudeen had been involved in other violent incidents. Earlier that same day, he had become agitated during a private-hire ride, kicking the driver and threatening him when the trip was canceled. He faced additional charges related to offenses against two other individuals occurring before and after his attack on Andrews.

Serajudeen’s history of alcohol-induced aggression was highlighted by prosecutors. In 2023, he was sentenced to seven months’ imprisonment for assaulting a 54-year-old man and served an additional four-week sentence for verbally abusing a police officer. In 2022, he was fined $4,000 for causing a public disturbance while intoxicated.

At sentencing, defense lawyer Quek Liuyong acknowledged Serajudeen’s remorse but argued that Andrews displayed readiness for an argument, suggesting he was not in the most vulnerable category of victims. Deputy Public Prosecutor Tay Lian Eng countered that Andrews’ conduct did not reduce his vulnerability and emphasized that Serajudeen initiated and continued the violent attack.

Following the assault, Serajudeen reportedly called his workplace to inform his manager that he had been involved in a fight and that the injured person had been taken to the hospital. He was arrested at his residence in the early hours of the following day.