A 40-year-old repeat offender has been sentenced to 20 weeks in jail after verbally abusing a Jewish teenager on a public bus, assaulting an elderly man, and stealing liquor from a supermarket.
According to ST, Mohammad Arif Ismail was sentenced on May 21, 2026, after pleading guilty to three separate charges involving racial abuse, assault, and theft. Arif has a long criminal history and has previously been jailed for offences including theft and using criminal force on others.
One of the offences took place on March 20, 2026, aboard SBS Transit bus service 858.
While travelling on the bus, Arif spotted a 14-year-old boy wearing a kippah — a traditional Jewish skullcap worn by men of the Jewish faith.
Court documents stated that Arif turned toward the teenager and hurled vulgar insults at him before flashing a lewd hand gesture.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Khong Zi-Wei told the court that the attack was completely unprovoked and appeared linked to tensions surrounding the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“The accused had intentionally directed the offensive words and gesture at the victim, completely unprovoked, and did so in a manner calculated to injure him,” the prosecutor said.
The court also heard that Arif had committed a similar offence in 2024 involving a 34-year-old Israeli man.
In that earlier case, Arif pleaded guilty to uttering words intended to wound the victim’s religious feelings and was sentenced to three weeks’ jail.
Despite serving time for the offence, prosecutors said he reoffended after his release.
Another charge involved an attack on a 79-year-old retiree at a taxi stand along Commonwealth Avenue in October 2025.
According to prosecutors, Arif approached the elderly man and stretched out his hand, seemingly asking for a handshake. When the retiree refused because he did not know him, Arif suddenly punched him in the left temple and repeatedly struck his chest.
The elderly victim attempted to defend himself by pushing Arif away, causing the attacker to fall.
However, after standing up, Arif kicked the man, causing him to fall and injure his right elbow.
A policewoman who happened to be patrolling nearby, together with her partner, stopped Arif as he attempted to leave the scene.
Arif also admitted to stealing two bottles of liquor worth more than S$100 from a supermarket on Tanglin Road on Nov. 7, 2025.
The theft charge was taken into consideration together with the other offences during sentencing.
Appearing in court without a lawyer, Arif pleaded for leniency and promised that he would not commit further crimes.
“I will not re-offend,” he told the court.
Despite his plea, the court sentenced him to a total of 20 weeks’ imprisonment.
Singapore maintains strict laws against acts that threaten racial and religious harmony, with courts regularly treating such offences seriously.
Image via google for illustration only
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