A deadly brawl outside Concorde Hotel led to a bouncer’s conviction for aiding weapon possession and destroying evidence.
SINGAPORE – A 23-year-old bouncer, Mohamad Zachary Danial Mohamad Azhar, was sentenced to eight months and six weeks in jail, along with six strokes of the cane, for his involvement in a violent brawl that resulted in the death of Mr. Mohammad Isrrat Mohd Ismail in August 2023.
Zachary pleaded guilty to charges of abetting the possession of an offensive weapon and attempting to conceal evidence tied to the deadly fight.
Incident Details
The altercation occurred outside Concorde Hotel on Orchard Road, where a dispute escalated into violence involving members of a secret society. At the time, Zachary was working as a bouncer at Club Rumours in the same location.
Earlier in the night, the chief bouncer instructed Zachary to retrieve knives from a locker for security purposes. Among them were two 30cm-long bread knives and a 33cm-long watermelon knife. Around 4:55am, Zachary handed one of the bread knives to Muhammad Shahrulnizam Osman (Nizam), another bouncer, who had accompanied Mr. Isrrat to the club.
Later, near the hotel’s taxi stand, a clash erupted between Nizam and secret society members. Nizam used the knife to slash several individuals, leading to a chaotic scene. Mr. Isrrat sustained severe injuries and was later found lying in a pool of blood.
Actions to Destroy Evidence
After the brawl, Zachary learned that the bloodstained knife had been hidden in a locker. Believing it to be the weapon used, he took it home alongside the other knives. However, upon receiving a call from a colleague urging him to cooperate with the police, Zachary returned the knife to the authorities.
Legal Proceedings
Deputy Public Prosecutor Brian Tan highlighted Zachary’s significant role in facilitating the crime and his efforts to hide evidence, which could have obstructed justice.
Zachary’s sentence includes jail time, caning, and a stern warning about the repercussions of aiding violent acts.
Ongoing Cases
Nizam, who faces five charges, including causing grievous hurt, is set to plead guilty on November 22. Over 10 individuals have been charged in connection with the brawl, emphasizing the legal system’s commitment to addressing gang-related violence.
The case underscores the importance of accountability in violent incidents and serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of involvement in such acts.
