SINGAPORE – A longstanding dispute between neighbours over parking-related matters escalated into a scuffle between two men in August 2024.

According to court documents, Seah Chin Leong also hurled bottles towards a car belonging to his neighbour’s father and verbally abused his neighbour with vulgar language.

Seah, 43, was living in a landed property near Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, while his neighbour, Neo Shi Ming, 37, resided in a house nearby.

On Feb 9, Seah, who has since moved from the property, pleaded guilty to offences including harassment and fighting in a public place.

The prosecution had described Neo as a co-accused but court documents did not disclose if he has been charged or dealt with earlier.

Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) Chye Jer Yuan said that Seah and his family moved into their house in or around July 2022.

On Aug 1, 2024, shortly before 3am, Seah confronted Neo over the parking of the latter’s vehicle outside Seah’s home.

A dispute then broke out between the two men, said the APP, adding: “The accused then punched the co-accused on his face and the co-accused retaliated.

“The accused gave a kick in the direction of the co-accused but was held back by his wife before both the accused and co-accused fell to the ground. The co-accused punched the accused when the accused was on the ground.”

Neo’s sister alerted the police and her brother went to Tan Tock Seng Hospital. He was later discharged with “head injury advice” and given a day of outpatient sick leave.

Meanwhile, Seah went to Sengkang General Hospital and was found with superficial abrasions at places including his knees. He was given four days of outpatient medical leave.

Three months later on Nov 5 at around 12.45am, Seah threw two glass bottles from his house towards a car belonging to Neo’s father.