A 39-year-old British man will be charged in Singapore on July 2 for failing to wear a mask on the MRT train, public nuisance, and using threatening words towards police officers who were on duty.

The police said in a statement that the man allegedly declared that he would never wear a mask after he was seen without one on the train.

“When police officers visited him at his residence on May 9, 2021, he purportedly threatened to knock them down,” the statement said.

The man has been identified as Benjamin Glynn, a father of two, who is an expatriate in Singapore.

He was caught on video, which was put up online on May 8, engaging with fellow commuters who were actively encouraging him to cover up his face.

When a commuter offered him a mask, he shot back: "I'm not going to f**king put that [unintelligible word] on my face."

Commuters seated next to him then left their seats.

The police showed up at his place of residence on May 9 to arrest him.

Glynn has since lost his job.

Penalties

Anyone convicted of the offence of public nuisance faces a jail term of up to three months, a fine of up to S$2,000, or both.

A person who contravenes the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020 may face a fine of up to S$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 S$5,000, jailed up to 12 months, or both.