HE LODGED a police report more than six months ago but had no idea the man who punched him had been charged and fined.

It was only when his wife read about the verdict in the papers last Wednesday that he found out.

Though cabby Irwan Shah Saharim, 34, now feels justified that Dow Jones journalist Andrew Bevans Jones was hauled to court for fracturing his nose, he felt there was more to the incident that was not highlighted.

Jones was fined a maximum $1,000 for hurting the cabby in the early hours of 21 Oct last year after getting into a tiff with him over change for $50. Jones could have been jailed for up to a year for voluntarily causing hurt.

Mr Irwan Shah told The New Paper he still feels traumatised by the incident.

According to the statement of facts in the court papers, Jones was picked up from the Hilton hotel cab stand around 5am. The Briton was with a woman companion who alighted at Upper Boon Keng Road before his stop at East Point Green condominium in Simei.

The cabby said Jones smelt of alcohol, which was confirmed by court documents.

The fare was $25.80 and Jones held out a $50 note.

Said Mr Irwan Shah: 'I told him I don't have change for $50 and apologised. I took my first passenger at 4.30am, who also gave me $50, and had given the change to him.'

It did not occur to him to ask Jones to pay by credit card. His cab does not take Nets.

Court papers stated that the cabby and passenger then got into a heated argument, and according to Jones, Mr Irwan Shah told him to just hand over the $50.

The Straits Times report last Wednesday also quoted Jones' defence lawyer as saying that the cabby had told Jones the passenger must have the right change and that it is not the cabby's responsibility.

Mr Irwan Shah denied saying this or asking for the $50 at this point.

The earlier report had quoted Jones as saying he offered to go home to get his credit card. But Mr Irwan Shah denied this happened. He said he was taken aback by the rudeness and was even more shocked when Jones stepped out of the cab without paying.

Mr Irwan Shah said: 'I got out of my cab and yelled to him 'Hey you got to pay my meter fare, you can't just walk away'.'

He claimed Jones turned and hurled vulgarities while rushing at him. A scuffle followed. Jones punched him on the nose.

Mr Irwan Shah claimed Jones quickly apologised and handed him $50. But Mr Irwan Shah refused to take it.

He said: 'He asked me three times to take the $50. The fourth time, I took it but told him I needed more to cover medical costs for the injury he just gave me.'

Court papers said two security guards were alerted to the commotion by a resident.

Said Mr Irwan Shah: 'As the guards asked us what happened, (Jones) told them I hadn't returned his change. I was shocked and upset because a minute earlier, he was willing to part with the whole note after punching me.'

Another argument followed.

One of the guards managed to calm Jones down and he agreed to leave.

Court papers stated that the cabby had yelled to Jones 'You b******, you better watch your back. I know where you live.'

But Mr Irwan Shah claimed that he had said 'You watch your back, I'll lodge a report and make sure you leave Singapore'.

Jones lunged at him again.

Court papers described the two as 'pushing and shoving each other'. In the midst of this, Mr Irwan Shah fell to the ground.

A guard managed to pull Jones away and persuade him to return home.

FRACTURE

Mr Irwan Shah then drove to a hospital to get treatment. According to medical reports, he had a nasal bridge fracture.

He also lodged a police report soon after.

His medical bills totalled $247.

He said: 'My 20 days of medical leave meant I lost income from driving. The incident really affected me for a while because I was afraid of picking up passengers like this...'

Though he is still driving a Mercedes limo cab, he has since switched cab companies.

Mr Irwan Shah said he wanted to get help from his previous company to pursue a legal case.

A spokesman for his former company, SMRT, said: 'Generally, we would support the decision by our taxi partners if they decide to pursue the matter further legally on a personal basis.'