Teens in 'how to spread Wuhan virus' video given probation
SINGAPORE — Two teenagers who were involved in a video where one was filmed drinking from and placing back two bottles of drink on a supermarket shelf were both sentenced to probation by a community court on Thursday (27 August).
Nigel Pang Yew Ming, 18, and his 17-year-old accomplice will each have to serve nine months of supervised probation, under which they have to remain indoors from 10pm to 6am, and perform 60 hours of community service.
In early February, Pang was filmed by his accomplice drinking from two bottles of fruit juice before the latter posted the video as an Instastory on his Instagram account with the caption “how to spread Wuhan virus”.
The accomplice cannot be named due to amendments to the Children and Young Persons Act which took effect from July. Under the changes, offenders below the age of 18 cannot be named.
The duo had earlier pleaded guilty at the State Courts to a single charge each of causing a public nuisance.
About the case
At about 6.45pm on 6 February, Pang and his accomplice went to the NTUC Fairprice supermarket at 2 Bukit Batok West Avenue 7.
Pang took two bottles of fruit juice from a refrigerated shelf, drank from them and then placed them back on the shelf. His accomplice, who had at least 1,360 Instagram followers at the time, filmed Pang and then uploaded the video.
Pang later paid for the bottles of juice that he drank from. He also asked his accomplice to let others on his Instagram know that Pang had paid for the bottles. But the accomplice only shared the information in a later Instastory.
The video of Pang gained traction on social media, with viewers expressing annoyance at his actions.
A member of the public who later came across the video on Twitter made a police report two days after the incident.
The prosecution and defence lawyers had agreed on probation as appropriate due to the culprits’ ages.
The maximum punishment for causing public nuisance is up to three months’ jail along with a fine.
Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore
Other Singapore stories:
COVID-19: Jalan Batu Market and Food Centre visited on 10 occasions
Singapore, Thailand to speed up talks on 'green lane' travel arrangement
Minimum wages for Employment Pass and S Pass to be raised in order to work in Singapore
