Jail for man who verbally abused boy wearing Jewish skullcap and assaulted senior citizen

Following his release, Arif was travelling on bus service 858 on March 20, 2026, when he saw the 14-year-old boy wearing a kippah, a skullcap traditionally worn by men of the Jewish faith. Arif turned towards the teenager, abused him with vulgar language and flashed a lewd hand gesture at him.

The DPP added: “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) in the light of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

Another of Arif’s charges that he admitted to on May 21 involved his assault of a 79-year-old stranger at a taxi stand in Commonwealth Avenue in October 2025.

Arif went up to the man and extended his hand, gesturing for a handshake. However, the senior citizen did not reciprocate as he did not know the younger man.

Arif suddenly punched the retiree’s left temple and rained blows on his chest.

In an attempt to protect himself, the victim pushed Arif, causing him to fall.

After getting back on his feet, Arif kicked the victim, who fell and wounded his right elbow.

Arif was walking away when a nearby policewoman, who was then on patrol, and her partner stopped him.

He also stole two bottles of liquor worth more than $100 in total from a supermarket in Tanglin Road on Nov 7, 2025.

On May 21, Arif, who was not represented by a lawyer, pleaded for leniency, telling the court that he will not re-offend.