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Woman who didn't wear mask at Sun Plaza admits to assaulting cop

Video screenshot of Kasturi Govindasamy Retnamsamy not wearing a face mask at Sun Plaza. (PHOTO: Screenshot/Facebook)
Video screenshot of Kasturi Govindasamy Retnamsamy not wearing a face mask at Sun Plaza. (PHOTO: Screenshot/Facebook)

SINGAPORE — A 40-year-old woman who didn’t wear a mask at Sun Plaza shopping mall and got into a verbal altercation with safe distancing ambassadors in a widely circulated video pleaded guilty to three charges on Friday (12 June).

Kasturi Govindasamy Retnamsamy, who is unemployed, admitted to breaching COVID-19 regulations, using abusive words on a security guard, and using criminal force on a policewoman.

The Singaporean, who is currently in remand at Changi Women’s Prison, will be sentenced at a later date, pending a report on her suitability for a Mandatory Treatment Order.

Offenders given an MTO, a community-based sentencing option, will have to undergo psychiatric treatment at the Institute of Mental Health for a period of up to three years instead of serving jail time.

Walked into mall without scanning NRIC

On 29 April, safe distancing ambassadors approached Kasturi at Sun Plaza at around noon as she wasn’t wearing a mask although she had one in her hand. As of 15 April, it became mandatory for everyone to wear a mask outside their homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A video of the ensuing altercation was circulated widely on the Internet.

About a week later, on 7 May, the perpetrator returned to the mall at about 2pm. She was asked by mall staff to provide her identity card for scanning before entering the mall, to aid in contact tracing efforts.

“The accused threw her NRIC onto the table and was vulgar toward the mall staff,” Deputy Public Prosecutor Stephanie Koh told a community court.

“The accused was asked to leave the premises but proceeded to walk into the mall although her NRIC had not been scanned. The staff contacted security for assistance,” added the prosecutor.

Told security guard she was exercising

Kasturi then went to the third floor of the mall and sat on the floor. Security supervisor Rahmat Amad, 54, who had been alerted by mall staff, went up to her to tell her not to sit there.

“The accused said she was exercising and Rahmat told her that the mall was not an appropriate place to exercise and that she should leave,” said DPP Koh.

“The accused used abusive words to Rahmat by saying ‘F*** you’ and ‘You idiot’ to him, thereby causing him alarm. The police were called as the accused refused to leave the mall,” added the prosecutor.

Officers arrived about 3.15pm to find Kasturi still sitting down on the third floor. They decided to arrest her for using abusive words on Rahmat.

Resisted arrest and scratched policewoman

“The accused resisted arrest and struggled with the police officers, including Sergeant Geraldine (Quek),” said DPP Koh.

“The accused was also vulgar toward the police officers. Necessary and reasonable force was used to effect arrest. In the course of the struggle, while Sgt Geraldine was trying to handcuff the accused, the accused scratched Sgt Geraldine on her right forearm,” the prosecutor said.

The policewoman later sought treatment at a polyclinic, and was given a vaccine and an antibiotic cream for the 5cm scratch.

The incident was partially captured on police body-worn camera footage. The case will be mentioned again on 26 June.

The maximum punishment for breaching COVID-19 regulations is a fine of up to $10,000 and up to six months’ jail.

For causing alarm with abusive words, offenders face a fine of up to $5,000 and/or up to six months’ jail.

The maximum penalty for using criminal force is up to three months’ jail and a fine of up to $1,500.

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