A staff member at Jyu Yae Bistro, part of a restaurant bar chain in Pasir Ris, was allegedly punched and kicked by a customer after the man refused to pay $2.50 for a bottle of mineral water. After the incident, the restaurant bar announced online that the man is now banned from all outlets under the brand.
The incident happened on Tuesday night (December 9) at around 10:42pm. The victim is a bartender working at the bistro located inside Downtown East.
Speaking to Lianhe Zaobao, the chain’s marketing director said the man “was unhappy about having to pay $2.50 for a bottle of mineral water, so he allegedly assaulted the staff member.”
She said the victim is only in his 20s, had just graduated in Malaysia, and came to Singapore for work.
“I believe this is his first full-time job. He has been working here since the outlet opened more than a year ago.”
Although she was not at the scene, she checked with her employees and was told that the man first allegedly tripped the staff member, causing him to fall, before allegedly punching and kicking his abdomen and face. His face was bleeding and swollen to the point that he could not speak.
There were more than ten people at the scene, including customers and other staff. Many of them stepped in to stop the man, and someone called the police.
The Singapore Police Force confirmed they received a call for assistance at 10:45pm that night at Pasir Ris Grove. A 23-year-old man suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital conscious. A 37-year-old man is currently assisting with investigations, which are ongoing.
The victim was sent to Changi General Hospital’s emergency department and was discharged on Wednesday afternoon (December 10). The doctor gave him three days of medical leave.
The marketing director added that the same man had visited the outlet a few months earlier and got into a verbal dispute with another staff member. No one was hurt then, so the restaurant decided not to pursue the matter.
“We will fully assist the police investigation and hope to seek justice for our employee,” she said.
The brand’s other two outlets at Suntec City and Capital Tower will also be banning the man from entering with immediate effect.
You may read their official statement below:
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