US naval officer restricted to ship after punching Singaporean

Dec 17, 2007, 0:37 GMT

Singapore - A US naval officer was restricted aboard his ship after allegedly punching a Singaporean and hurling him across two cars, the US Embassy in Singapore said Monday.

He is not allowed to leave the city-state during investigations even if his ship, the USS Tawara, departs.

'The US Navy takes these matters very seriously and will cooperate fully with the Singaporean authorities to ensure justice is served in this matter,' a spokesman said.

K M Ho met with representatives from the US Navy's legal office on Sunday.

The discussion focused on Ho's injuries and property damage, the spokesman said.

The sailor, whose identity was not disclosed, was described as drunk.

Ho, a 36-year-old communications manager, was looking for a space at an open-air car park Friday night when he heard something hit the back of his car, news reports said.

He got out to check and was then allegedly punched in the face and hurled across the two cars by the sailor, causing bleeding in one eye, cuts on his nose, and a wound that required stitches, The Straits Times said.

Ho said he plans to file a magistrate's complaint.

Witnesses told the newspaper that the sailor made a stir in the carpark earlier when he locked himself in a woman's car. He was pulled out by people nearby.

The USS Tawara has 6,000 sailors and marines on board.