Lecture Over the Hills: The Mask‑Mishandled Brit on Jail Row
On a seemingly ordinary May morning in Singapore, a British visitor named Benjamin Glynn turned a routine MRT ride into a headline‑making spectacle. No mask, no one telling him he had to wear one, and a chill surprise for the train’s commuters.
Accusations and Judgement
Fast‑forward to the courtroom on Wednesday, August 18, Detective‑-Judge Eddy Tham gave Glynn a verdict that would have anyone in his shoes feeling a little chilly: four separate convictions.
- Two counts under the COVID‑19 Temporary Measures Act (no‑mask shenanigans).
- One charge of harassment (iss a little too breath‑less for it).
- One charge of public nuisance (the bright‑star Mr. Mglynn did that “I will never wear a mask” joke).
He spent six weeks behind bars—short enough not to become a crime‑basket‑season but sure enough to see him in a straight‑cut sentence.
“I’m Actually an Expert” and the Sovereign Stunt
Glynn’s defense was all talk, not action. He insisted he knew the law better than a senior legal professor, yet his grandmother‑of‑the‑dead‑message to the prosecutor was a classic stand‑up comedy clip, hinting modesty in his bravado.
Claiming “sovereign” status, he thought he was a sovereign citizen, but the court reminded him of the very practical law that applies to everyone in Singapore. That’s the difference between a selfie‑post and a proper case.
Resisting Arrest (and Repeating “Hoax”)
In the lesser-known side‑story, the arresting officers described Glynn’s daring attempt to resist. Police Officer Chee Xiu Quan noted that Glynn pointed out COVID‑19 was a “hoax,” and even blamed the vaccine for messing with his “friend’s” health. “He said it’s bad for humans,” Officer Chee told the court.
“According to him, a friend of his ended up in ICU after getting vaccinated,” the policeman added.
Mental Health Checks and No Bail
Despite claiming no mental disorders, a psychiatric observation at the Institute of Mental Health found Glynn was fit to plead. His bail, set at $5,000, was revoked in July because he didn’t keep the mask. So he’s been in remand.
Masked-Inconveniences and The Weird — It Built a Comedy Series
On that May morning, Glynn’s public announcement of his mask decision also included a heartfelt (i.e., dramatic) claim: “Why around 12:30am at Allsworth Park condominium? I was plotting to scare the commuters, to make sure everyone saw that forgetting a mask was not just an oversight but a statement.”
Just 10 minutes into the trial, the audience had a real‑time drama: a woman in the gallery with her mask off, contorting it. Maybe if the law’s a comedy, a gallery could love it? Or maybe it’s just part of the pandemic era reality show.
Has there ever been an even simpler comedic case? Possibly not. But justice is in the only place it always finds the scripters. Whether the British national can get a rid of his ˆ• legal drama depends on his next time-lapse watching time of an MRT.
When the Court Turns Into a Brawl
Glynn, a Briton who mistook a courthouse for a dodgeball arena, caused a full‑scale ruckus that left the judge, security, and the accused all exhausted – and the jury a bit bewildered. Here’s the full story, rewritten for your reading pleasure:
1. A “broken mask” and a kangaroo court
- Inside the courtroom, security officers approached Glynn, who stubbornly claimed his mask was “broken” and that he had no “contract” with the authorities.
- When Judge Tham requested he leave, Glynn responded that the trial was a kangaroo court and refused to exit.
- The judge put a temporary hold on the proceedings. After Glynn was escorted out, he never returned for the rest of the trial.
2. The “maskless man” mystery
- On May 9, Inspector Chee and ASP Quek went to Glynn’s home to verify the man in the surveillance video without a mask.
- Glynn opened the door, admitted he was the camera suspect, and then tried to sweeten the deal by asking if they could talk downstairs because it was his daughter’s birthday.
- During the interview, Glynn boasted about his boxing skills and declared COVID‑19 a hoax, giving the officers a reason to step back.
3. A boxing stance turns into a brawl
- With a gleam in his eye, Glynn approached the officers and tried to “take on” the cops, prompting ASP Quek to call for backup.
- When officers attempted to handcuff him, Glynn pulled his hand into a classic “boxing stance,” fists clenched, and resisted arrest.
- Inspector Chee, holding a baton, ordered Glynn to lie down. He used the baton on Glynn’s thigh when Glynn lunged forward.
- Glynn dashed toward the condominium entrance but stopped when a security guard stepped in the guardhouse.
- After tripping, Glynn was finally handcuffed. Backup arrived, and Glynn was transported to the Cantonment Police Complex.
4. Glynn says he’s fine, no hospital needed
- During transfer, Glynn declined medical treatment, insisting everything was all right.
- He later admitted to having “a bit to drink” before his arrest and asked if officers had footage of his escapade at the condo.
- Inspector Chee clarified that neither he nor ASP Quek wore body‑camera gear at the time, so no footage existed.
5. Cross‑examining the “doctor of crime”
- Investigating officer Sr. Staff Sergeant Amirudin Nordin also took the stand. Glynn praised his “great investigation work” – “Sherlock Holmes will be proud of you,” he quipped.
- Judge Tham cautioned Glynn against “unnecessary comments.”
- Glynn claimed the arrest was “unlawful” and that his defence was not based on his conduct, demanding the court stop calling him a servant.
- During cross‑examination, Amirudin stated that “annoyance” is an arrestable offense.
- Glynn shouted that “there’s a total disregard for common law in Singapore,” and reminded everyone that he was not the judge’s slave.
6. Sentence: 7 weeks behind bars
- Prosecutor DPP Koh urged the court to impose a seven‑week jail term for Glynn, citing his lack of remorse and “frivolous defence.”
- Judge Tham sided with the prosecution and remarked that Glynn had shown a “blatant disregard for the law.”
- Under Singapore’s Covid‑19 (Temporary Measures) Act, convictions can carry up to six months imprisonment and a $10,000 fine; harassment convictions can carry up to a year and a $5,000 fine.
7. Closing thoughts
Glynn’s courtroom adventure was a tight‑rope walk between comedy and caution. While he strolled into the police complex as if he were the king of the ring, the legal system kept him grounded, demonstrating that in Singapore, a day in the courtroom can be more chaotic than a day at the gym – and certainly might not result in a gold medal.
