Man from China, 38, spits at ICA officer after being denied entry into S'pore, gets 8 weeks' jail

A 38-year-old Chinese national, Ceng Li Xiao (transliteration), was denied entry into Singapore upon arriving in the country.

However, when Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers attempted to deport him back to China, Ceng refused to cooperate. Instead, he shouted and deliberately spat at one of the officers.

According to Lianhe Zaobao, Ceng appeared in court on Sep. 4 and pleaded guilty to one charge of assaulting a public servant and one charge of violating the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act.

He was sentenced to 8 weeks' jail.

Banned from entering Singapore

Citing court documents, Lianhe Zaobao reported that Ceng had arrived in Singapore in the morning of Aug. 16, but was stopped by ICA officers at Changi Airport Terminal 4.

He was denied entry under the Immigration (Prohibition of Entry) Order, though the court did not reveal the reason why he was banned from entering the country.

Ceng was then taken to a lounge at the airport to await deportation, but he refused to cooperate, prompting ICA officers to restrain him.

Spat at one of the ICA officers' face

Lianhe Zaobao reported that at around 11am, four ICA officers escorted Ceng for deportation in a wheelchair.

However, during the process, Ceng kept shouting; he shouted repeatedly for about two minutes.

He then attempted to get up from the wheelchair, but was noticed by one of the ICA officers, who tried to hold him down.

Without warning, Ceng suddenly turned around and spat in the officer's face.

Sentenced to 8 weeks' jail

According to Lianhe Zaobao, it was revealed in court that Ceng was later arrested and has remained in custody ever since.

The prosecution pointed out that Ceng's act of spitting at an officer in a public space was both shameful and a blatant disrespect for public institutions.

Ceng, who had no legal representation, appeared in court virtually via a video call on Sep. 4.

Speaking through an interpreter, he told the court that he had acknowledged his mistakes and expressed hope that the case could be concluded soon so that he could return home.

Top photos via Lianhe Zaobao, Canva