THE health of cabby Lee Yuet Kong, who rammed his taxi into another driver after an argument, became an issue in court on Monday.

Lee, 68, was found guilty 17 days ago of causing the death of financial adviser Alex Lim, 30, through his reckless behaviour.

The court did not impose any sentence on Monday after his lawyer urged a district court to be lenient on account of Lee's medical ailments.

But the court decided that in the event that Lee was jailed for the offence, it was willing to consider allowing him serve his sentence after his heart surgery.

District Judge Victor Yeo also allowed Lee's lawyer, more time to prepare a detailed report of his client's medical conditions.

The prosecution would also check with the authorities to see what kind of medical treatment would be available for Lee in prison.

Lee and Mr Lim had an argument after they got involved in a minor collision on Apr 9 this year.

Mr Lim had tried to block the cabby from driving off by standing in front of the cab. He was hit and flung off the bonnet of the taxi when Lee just kept driving.

The cab accelerated before braking abruptly, causing Mr Lim to fall backwards. He hit his head on the road.

He slipped into a coma and died a month later in hospital.

In Lee's mitigation on Monday, his lawyer Mr N.K. Rajarh, told the court that his client was suffering from chronic heart disease, hypertension and diabetes.

The father of two grown-up sons also has a history of heart failure and was awaiting surgery to cure his condition, he added.

Mr Rajarh noted that Lee's offence was likely to attract a custodial term.

But he urged the court to be merciful on his client and spare him from incarceration. He added that last year, a convicted cancer-stricken molestor escaped jail and caning after the High Court granted a rare reprieve because of the offender's terminal illness.

Lee will return to court to be sentenced on Jan 3 next year.

Mr Rajarh acknowledged that Mr Lim should bear some of the blame for the accident.

Referring to Mr Lim's behaviour, he said: 'His conduct of blocking the taxi and preventing it from moving off in the usually busy Scotts Road, and causing a standoff should not be condoned as well.'

'He had the option of noting the taxi registration number and reporting the matter to the police.'