AN 18-year-old American student who spray-painted graffiti on cars with a group of friends was sentenced to four months' imprisonment and six strokes of the cane in a Singapore court yesterday.
The sentence prompted a strongly critical response and a hint of retaliation from the American Embassy.
Michael Fay had pleaded guilty to five charges of vandalism, mischief and dishonestly keeping stolen property.
Apart from the jail and caning penalties, he was fined a total of S$3,500 (HK$17,062).
Fay was released on bail and planned an appeal. He is believed to be the first foreign Caucasian to be sentenced to caning.
Offenders sentenced to caning are strapped to a trestle and beaten on their bared buttocks with a length of rattan. The caning can break the skin.