SINGAPORE: The case surrounding a prisoner who had been wrongfully given three extra strokes of the cane came up for mediation at the Singapore Mediation Centre on Friday.

20-year-old Dickson Tan Yong Wen, who is still in prison, was convicted for abetting an unlicensed moneylender to harass a debtor.

He was given eight strokes of the cane instead of the prescribed five.

Lawyers from both sides said the mediation process was making progress.

Mr Joseph Chen, the Counsel for Tan, told reporters that the government was amenable to a fair settlement.

Mr Chen, who accompanied Tan's mother to the hearing at the Supreme Court building on Friday, also said that he was happy with the session.

Channel NewsAsia understands that a settlement amount being looked at is in the range of $300,000.

The two mediators on their part have encouraged both parties to come to a settlement.

The government is represented by Mr Leong Kwang Ian from the Attorney General's Chambers.

The hearing has been adjourned to a later date.

In earlier negotiations, both the Law and Home Affairs Ministries said Tan's family had initially asked for $150,000 in compensation but later raised it to $3 million to include punitive damages.

This could not be accepted by the government.

The victim had reportedly said he would donate $2.7m to charity. - CNA/ir