The Police will be charging a 52-year-old woman on 11 November 2022 for offences under the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act and the Protection from Harassment Act for her actions during a court hearing on 18 August 2021.
On 18 August 2021, the woman was seated in the public gallery at the State Courts during a trial involving Mr Benjamin Glynn. She was asked to step out of a courtroom to adjust her mask, which was askew. She then used insulting words towards a District Judge of the State Courts by shouting “This is [a] ridiculous kangaroo court”, “if the kangaroo court requires me to wear a mask” and “I do not respect the judge”.
The woman will be charged with an offence of using insulting words towards a public servant, which is punishable under Section 6(3) of the Protection from Harassment Act. If found guilty, the woman is liable for enhanced punishment under Section 8(1)(d) of the Protection from Harassment Act as she was previously convicted and sentenced in April 2014 to a mandatory treatment order for committing a similar offence. In addition, the woman had behaved in a disorderly manner in the courtroom on 18 August 2021. Hence, she will also be charged with an offence of disorderly behaviour in the immediate vicinity of a court under Section 20 of the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act.
The offence of using insulting words towards a public servant, punishable under Section 8(1)(d) of the Protection from Harassment Act, may be punished with imprisonment of up to two years, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. The offence of disorderly behaviour under Section 20 of the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act is punishable with imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to $2,000, or both.
In addition, the woman is being investigated for offences of failing to attend in obedience to order from public servants under section 174 of the Penal Code, as well as offences involving the use of criminal force against Police officers under section 353 of the Penal Code.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
11 November 2022 @ 8:53 AM