Elderly man who asked American man on MRT for sex admits to harassment and assault
A 71-year-old Singaporean man caught in a viral video harassing and slapping another man on the MRT last year has pleaded guilty to two charges brought against him.
In the State Courts on Friday (20 April), Gan Thean Soo admitted to one charge of causing harassment and one charge of causing hurt. An additional charge of being a public nuisance will be considered when Gan is sentenced.
After a drinking session in Chinatown on 19 April 2017, the business development manager had boarded the train together with 25-year-old American Joseph Flynn De Marini. Gan then approached De Marini and began insinuating that the young man was gay.
Inside the MRT train heading towards Farrer Park MRT station, Gan said to De Marini, “I like you, I am gay. Will you f**k me tonight?” He also accosted and touched the young man despite the American telling him not to do so.
A member of the public walked towards Gan and tried to calm him down. Gan persisted in approaching the young man, asking him, “Can I kiss you? I want to kiss you.”
De Marini informed Gan that he wasn’t gay, but the elderly Singaporean continued propositioning the American.
Gan then slapped the young man on the side of his face, prompting another male commuter to intervene in an attempt to stop the harassment. De Marini did not retaliate.
Gan has previous convictions for causing hurt and traffic offences.
He will be back in court for sentencing on 27 April.
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