AT THE age of 15, William Ng was sent to the Singapore Boys' Home for three years for robbing and hurting a victim.

He proved too troublesome there and was packed off to the Reformative Training Centre.

Since his release, Ng, now 38, continued to be in trouble with the law.

He has been jailed for fighting and causing hurt, theft, drug possession and consumption, as well as fined for traffic offences.

On Wednesday, he was sent to jail again, this time for six years and two months and ordered to be caned six times for a host of crimes.

He committed some of the offences in 2002 while still under supervision for consuming drugs a year earlier

He and five friends had been drinking at Orchard Road on Feb 19 .

At 3 am the following day, the group assaulted another man for no apparent reason, after which they fled.

The victim, Mr Tan Lip Soon, then 32, was punched and kicked repeatedly, leaving bruises.

Doctors also found some suggestion of brain swelling.

But Mr Tan left before the medical examination could be completed.

Read the full story in Satuday's edition of The Straits Times.