Singapore Court Shocked as “Sovereign” Man Sparks Chaos on the MRT
In a courtroom scene that could have been lifted straight out of a comedy set, Benjamin Glynn, a 40‑year‑old Englishman, barged into a district court in Singapore on August 5 and declared himself “sovereign.” He basically told the judge that the city’s mask rules just didn’t apply to him.
Legality—or the Lack Thereof?
- Glynn’s defense: He claimed he would never say “guilty” or “not guilty.” He pointed to fellow man Abdul Rashid, saying that he was his legal counsel.
- Reality check: The court confirmed Abdul was not a licensed attorney in Singapore. Judge Eddy Tham made it clear that you can’t just bring a random guy and call him “lawyer.” Abdul offered his own legend of being an “ambassador‑at‑large,” but the judge politely declined the entry into the legal team.
Glynn’s “Mental Health” Tactics
During the first day of his hearing, Glynn demanded a mental‑health assessment, claiming that the COVID‑19 restrictions had turned him into a lunatic. He preached about six hundred hours of law study and said he was way better at law than the prosecutor.
His dramatic flair didn’t stop there. He accused the courthouse of being for “slave‑slipping” and stood up to urge the judge to drop the case and give him back his passport to return to Britain.
Police and the Court’s Response
Judge Tham ultimately decided that Glynn might be suffering from “unsound mind.” He ordered Glynn into remand at the Institute of Mental Health for observation. The trial will resume on August 19.
Glynn, feeling rattled, ripped out onto the courthall, shouting “I am disgusted with how the Singapore judicial system has treated me.” A bystander even clapped—prompting the judge to remind her to keep decorum.
The Charges that Made Things Tangled
- Two violations of the Covid‑19 (Temporary Measures) Act for refusing to wear a mask on a MRT ride from Raffles Place to Holland Village (night of May 7).
- One count of harassment and one of public nuisance for loudly telling commuters that he would never wear a mask.
- Another set of charges for threatening police officers at Allsworth Park (May 9), citing an “obscene” word.
Each Covid‑19 offense can carry a maximum six‑month jail term and a $10,000 fine. Harassment can add up to a year in jail and $5,000 fine.
What’s Next?
After being remanded following the revocation of his $5,000 bail, Glynn’s case is set to continue on August 19. Will the court accept his “sovereign” claims, or will the law demand compliance? Only time will tell.
