SOURCE: The Straits Times

Two young robbers were jailed and ordered to be given the maximum 24 strokes of the cane on Friday for brutally assaulting their victims in what a judge has described as one of the worst cases of robbery he had come across.

Two victims had facial fractures after they were stepped on their faces while another suffered serious injuries, including a rib fracture.

Al-Azhar Mohamed Yusoff, 20, and Sayed Muhammad Nassier Sayed Mohd Sidek, 21, had admitted earlier to six charges each of robbery with hurt, cheating and drug consumption.

Azhar, who had robbed and hurt victims before the current spate of offences, had suggested beating up and robbing males to Nassier, who agreed.

The two were walking along Nicoll Highway in the wee hours on May 15 when they punched a passing cyclist.

The 36-year-old Bangladeshi construction worker was thrown off the bicycle and when he lay on the ground, he was punched and kicked repeatedly on the face and body. Nassier also stepped on his face twice.

They stole a wallet and phone from the victim, who was rendered unconscious.

Shortly after, they saw a 25-year-old Indian national jogging towards them and similarly robbed him of his wallet, $50, a work permit and a cellphone.

Earlier on May 8, they had robbed a 27-year-old factory operator from China at a void deck in Pasir Ris at about 1am.

Azhar pretended to ask him for directions and then punched him on the face. Nassier joined in the assault.

When the victim fell, they continued punching and kicking him. They also stepped on his face and body.

District Judge Eddy Tham said the duo displayed a level of viciousness that was shocking considering their relatively young age.

He said they were relentless in their assault and were not satisfied with a single blow; gave their victims no chances to accede to their demands, but instead, used an element of surprise and extreme violence to achieve their ends. They also kicked and punched the victims' faces and head region which were vulnerable parts.

Judge Tham, who considered five other charges against each of them including three of robbery with hurt, sentenced Azhar to seven years and two months plus caning, and Nassier, to 8 1/2 years and caning.

Nassier had a drug conviction. Both men had gone through reformative training before.