Man to be charged for not wearing mask in MRT train, public nuisance
SINGAPORE — A 39-year-old man will be charged on Friday (2 July) for failing to wear a mask while in an MRT train, public nuisance and using threatening words towards police officers who were on duty.
In a statement, the police said the man was allegedly seen not wearing a mask while travelling on the train and declared that he would never wear a mask. “When police officers visited him at his residence on 9 May 2021, he purportedly threatened to knock them down,” the statement said.
The man appears to be the same person who is seen in an online video showing him sitting in an MRT train without a mask and talking to other commuters. When a commuter offers him a mask, he retorts, "I'm not going to f**king put that [unintelligible word] on my face." His actions appear to cause the commuters seated next to him to leave their seats.
A Daily Mail report on 17 June identified the man as Benjamin Glynn, a 39-year-old British expatriate. He was quoted as saying in the report, “This whole situation is ridiculous. I want to leave the country anyway - just let me go! I think it's insane that I am facing a trial at all, just for not wearing a mask.”
Anyone convicted of the offence of public nuisance faces a jail term of up to three months, a fine of up to $2,000, or both.
A person who contravenes the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020 may face a fine of up to $10,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both upon conviction.
Those found guilty of using threatening words towards a public servant who is on duty could be fined up to $5,000, jailed up to 12 months, or both.
“Members of the public are advised to take the prevailing safe distancing measures seriously. The Police take a stern view of irresponsible behaviours relating to the flouting of safe distancing measures and offenders will be dealt with in accordance to the law,” the police said.
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