Australian jailed for assault, rails at court, accuses judge of making him plead guilty
SINGAPORE — Dramatic scenes unfolded in the States Courts on Friday (27 September) as an Australian man who was jailed for assault shouted at a District Judge, accusing him of forcing him to plead guilty.
Scott John Ashby, 46, was sentenced to seven weeks’ jail for assaulting a taxi driver and a police officer after drinking. But even before the sentence was announced, Ashby lost his cool during an exchange with District Judge Christopher Tan.
As Deputy Public Prosecutor Tan Yen Seow read out the statement of facts, Ashby was heard scoffing and remarking, “What a travesty” and “wow”.
He said he “fundamentally” disagreed with the facts after it was read out. When DJ Tan asked him what he meant, the Australian replied, “Well Your Honour, what else can I do?”.
DJ Tan then asked, “You agree to these facts? Nobody can force you to plead”, to which Ashby replied, “You are ,Your Honour. I have lost my job.”
DJ Tan told Ashby, “I am trying to be patient because I know you are frustrated. There will be court decorum and it will be respected.”
When the judge asked Ashby’s lawyer Too Xing Ji whether he needed to take instructions from his client, Ashby shouted, “I do not need to!”
In response, DJ Tan said, “I am not speaking to you, Mr Ashby. You do not interrupt when the court is speaking.”
After the proceedings were stood down for a moment, Ashby eventually agreed to the facts without dispute. He was heard saying, “F*** you, f*** this country, f*** this judicial system” after the hearing was concluded.
The burly man had turned up to court dragging a large green roller luggage and four smaller pieces of baggage. The luggage, Too told the court, comprised 15 years worth of Ashby’s belongings during his stay in Singapore.
As his employment pass was not renewed due to the court case, Ashby will have to return to Australia after serving his sentence.
Too said that his client, who is divorced with two young children, had lost everything.
He had lost his job as a consultant, and will not be able to visit his children, who reside in Singapore, said Too, who added that his client suffered from depression and was on anti-depressants.
The facts of the case
Ashby pleaded guilty to one count of voluntarily causing hurt to 43-year-old cabby Oh Kuan Hui and one of using criminal force to deter a police officer from discharging his duty. He also admitted to using abusive words on the police officer, but had this charge taken into consideration for sentencing.
Oh picked up Ashby at about 9.30pm on 10 September last year at a taxi stand near Suntec. He observed Ashby to be drunk. Ashby had drunk five cans of 500ml Anchor beer with his friends earlier.
After arriving at the destination ten minutes later, Ashby alighted and did not pay for his cab fee of $16.70. Oh immediately followed him and asked for the money.
Ashby then pushed Oh twice on the chest area, causing the taxi driver to fall to the ground. After Oh got back to his feet, Ashby pushed him again, causing him to hit a nearby metal gate. The impact dislodged the panel of the gate.
The taxi driver called the police minutes later. Two police officers, including Sergeant Tay Ming Wei, responded to the call and saw Ashby walking alone on a pavement. They requested his particulars.
Ashby initially refused to provide his particulars but eventually retrieved his employment pass from his wallet. Instead of handing the pass over, he threw it on the floor and said “f***ing take it”.
At this point, Tay gave him a warning.
As Tay attempted to calm Ashby down and interview him again, Ashby refused and insisted on leaving. Tay then decided to arrest Ashby. The latter resisted by swinging his arms aggressively and hit Tay’s lower lip.
The two officers managed to handcuff him eventually. Throughout the incident, Ashby hurled vulgarities at the officers.
Tay sustained tenderness on the left side of his chin, amongst other unspecified injuries. Taxi driver Oh suffered from tenderness over his left hip and abrasions over his left hand, left wrist and left elbow.
More Singapore stories:
Indian national who molested Scoot stewardess on flight jailed, intends to appeal
Rules on PMDs: Panel calls for minimum age of 16 for e-scooter riders
an who absconded Orchard Towers murder hearing re-arrested, faces fresh rioting charge
