Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg
British expatriate, Benjamin Glynn, 40, has been sentenced to six weeks' jail in Singapore on Aug. 18, 2021, CNA, The Straits Times, and Yahoo News reported.
He was found guilty of all four charges of failing to wear a mask on two separate occasions, causing public nuisance, and using threatening words on public officers.
His trial lasted just one day.
Glynn's jail sentence is backdated to July 19 when he was first remanded.
The four charges include:
- not wearing a mask while in an MRT train on May 7,
- causing public nuisance on May 7,
- threatening police officers who went to his residence on May 8 and 9, and
- failing to wear a mask within and in the vicinity of the State Courts on July 2
Wild trial
The trial was punctuated with scenes that rarely or never happen in Singapore courts.
Earlier on when he defended himself without a lawyer, Glynn sounded emotional when he asked the court to free him as he wants to return to his country and children.
He also accused the police here of unlawfully detaining and kidnapping him.
He said he faced mental duress when he was in remand, as well as when he was assessed at the Institute of Mental Health.
Glynn also defended himself by saying he cannot remember adopting a boxing stance or using threatening words on police officers.
His defence in this instance, Yahoo News reported, was the result of learning there was no video recording of the incident.
He even told the court he was courteous.
He also told the court he had been drinking while celebrating his daughter's fifth birthday that night before the police arrived.
Police used baton on Glynn
The officers testified that Glynn had told them: "I am going to f**king drop you."
He had also adopted a boxing stance.
In response to Glynn being agitated, the officers used a baton on him.
Admitted to being person on MRT train, outside State Courts
Glynn said he did not deny he was the one captured in CCTV footage with regards to incidents on the MRT train and in or around the State Courts,
Glynn's spiel
Glynn then went on a spiel where he claimed he studied the law and that there is no crime, and implying that there is no victim, Yahoo News reported.
He said: "I am enlightened and awakened and very educated man and I know my rights and God-given rights that no person, be it legal fiction living man or woman, can interfere in and that is what I am standing up for my kids, so they do not have to cover their face.”
He added: “If people want to wear it I am happy for them... I do not wish to breathe my own recycled carbon dioxide, I like to breathe oxygen.”
Judge not convinced at all
In response, District Judge Eddy Tham said he finds that Glynn "is completely misguided on such beliefs."
The deputy public prosecutor had pushed for seven weeks' jail.
The DPP said Glynn's continued defiance was an aggravating factor.
The DPP highlighted that Glynn pulled his mask down and then removed it after his bail was granted.
He added that Glynn's actions were a danger to public health.
When sentencing Glynn, Tham said he agreed with the prosecution that deterrence should be the foremost sentencing principle.
Follow and listen to our podcast here
Top right photo via Glynn supplied to Daily Mail