The judge told Benjamin Glynn, 40, he was ‘completely misguided’ in his belief that he was exempt from Singapore’s mask-wearing laws, which are strictly enforced in the Asian city-state
Image: Benjamin Glynn / SWNS)
A British man has been given six weeks in prison for not wearing a face mask.
Benjamin Glynn, 40, was found guilty on four charges of failing to wear a mask on a Singapore train in May.
At a court appearance in July, CNN reports he also caused a public nuisance and used threatening language towards public servants.
Glynn was earlier subjected to a psychiatric assessment ordered by the judge as a result of his conduct and remarks in court.
Representing himself, he asked the court to drop what he described as “unlawful charges” and asked for his passport to be returned so he could go to the UK to be with his family, CNA reports.
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Image:
Benjamin Glynn / SWNS)
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Image:
Benjamin Glynn / SWNS)
He accused the police of unlawfully detaining and kidnapping him and said that he had faced mental duress when he was in remand.
Glynn said in an emotional statement: “In the last three months I have been psychologically and emotionally tortured, especially the last 33 days in a prison cell.
“Please drop the unlawful charges against me, return my stolen passport and return me to my home country (so that I can) finally be reunited with my two kids.”
The judge told Glynn he was “completely misguided” in his belief he was exempt from Singapore’s mask-wearing laws.
Reuters said its calls and text messages to his phone were unanswered on Wednesday.
The Asian country is well-known for enforcing strict rules and has jailed and fined others for breaking Covid-19 regulations.#
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Image:
The Straits Times/AFP via Getty)
Some foreigners have also had work permits revoked for rule breaches.
Singapore has kept its coronavirus outbreaks under control partly because of its strict enforcement or measures.
In February, a court sentenced a British man to two weeks in jail after he sneaked out of his hotel room to meet his then fiancée while in quarantine.