No one likes it when their important possessions such as a handphone goes missing, but it’s no excuse to damage public property either.
A British man is currently facing the prospect of being thrown into jail or fined by the Singaporean authorities for being verbally aggressive at airport staff and damaging property after losing his handphone.
Misplaced phone and left plane to look for it
According to a press statement by the Singapore Police Force (SPF), it wrote the incident occurred on Mar 8 at Changi Airport, where the 57-year-old Briton boarded a flight from Singapore to London.
Upon boarding the flight, he realised his handphone wasn’t with him and promptly left the plane to search for it at the airport lounge.
The British man then approached a female airline staff at the gate hold room, who helped in looking for his phone with airport lounge staff but later informed him it couldn’t be found.
British man kicks wall, verbally abuses staff
Given that his departure time was drawing near, the female staff told the Briton that he would be removed from the flight if he left the gate hold room.
Upon hearing this, the man became extremely angry and uttered “abusive and derogatory” towards her.
Furthermore, he even kicked the wall panel of the aerobridge while walking back to the plane, damaging it as a result.
Following the commotion, officers from the Airport Police Division intervened after they were alerted of the situation.
Slapped with two charges
The press statement later revealed that the Briton will appear in court today, where he faces two charges:
- Using abusive words against a person under Section 3(2) of the Protection from Harassment Act 2014
- Committing mischief causing destruction to property under Section 426 of the Penal Code 1871
For the charge of using abusive words against a person, he faces up six months in jail and/or fined up to S$5,000 (approx. RM16,670)
As for the charge of mischief causing destruction to property, he faces a jail term that may extend to two years and/or a fine.
Commander of Airport Police Division Assistant Commissioner M. Malathi said any form of harassment or abusive behaviour toward airport and airline staff will not be tolerated.
“It disrupts airport operations and jeopardizes the safety of the staff and their ability to perform their duties effectively. The Police take a serious view of such acts and will not hesitate to take action against those who do so.”
READ ALSO:
