Benjamin Glynn, the Briton who is being charged with not wearing his mask on a train and again outside the state courts, was in court earlier today (18 August) to contest his four charges of not wearing a mask, public nuisance and his use of threatening words to a public servant.
He was assessed by IMH to not be suffering from any mental disorder and his trial began in proper.
His previous hearing saw his supporters clapping and laughing in court, so this time there was added security presence.
Glynn arrived in court handcuffed, and taunted the Deputy Public Prosecutor Timotheus Koh:
“Morning Mr Koh, hope you had a nice two weeks with your family.
Any messages from my family? Maybe my dead grandma has contacted you from beyond the grave.”
The court asked him whether he intends to plead guilty or not, to which he said he didn’t understand why he is being charged in a criminal court.
He argued:
“There’s been no victim. There’s been no harm to any living man or woman. Therefore it’s a farce that I am in a criminal court for a maritime breach … that has no legal jurisdiction over me. My position hasn’t changed. We have no contract whereby I comply to wearing a mask.”
Supporter causing a scene
One of Benjamin Glynn’s supporter was not wearing her mask properly when a security guard told her to do so.
She then reacted to the guard angrily as her mask slipped down and she had her entire mask off her face.
She was then told by District Judge Eddy Tham to step outside if she was not wearing a mask.
The agitated woman then exclaimed: “This is a ridiculous kangaroo court!”
The security guards then approached her as she told them: “You don’t touch me, I have no contract with you!”
She then said something about this not being about a mask, but about “control”.
A man then tried to admit himself as the accused’s (Glynn) lawyer but failed because he didn’t have a practising license, then told the security guard to refrain from “provoking” the woman.
Judge Tham then ordered the woman to be taken out of the courtroom: “That is enough interruption, please bring her out of the courtroom now.”
Proceedings were halted as the woman was hauled out of court, she then exclaimed as security guards surrounded her (without touching her): “You don’t tell me what to do, I’m a living, breathing woman. Shut up. I do not respect the judge.”
As the judge was away, Glynn continued his taunting remarks at the prosecutor: “Back to law school for you, Mr Koh.”
Made sarcastic remarks to Investigation Officer
Koh played video clips of Glynn not wearing a mask inside a train cabin on 7 May, as well as him outside the court without a mask.
Unrepresented Glynn, started his cross examination of the investigation officer:
“Some great investigation work there … Sherlock Holmes will be proud of you.”
The trial is still ongoing at the time of writing.
Recap
Images source: sgfollowsall