On 16 April 2025, a 41-year-old British national, Lindley Scott David John, (“the accused”), was sentenced to seven weeks imprisonment, for using criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of her duty and using insulting communication against a public servant at Changi Airport.
On 8 March 2025, at about 7.45pm, the Police was alerted to a person behaving aggressively and using vulgarities at the staff entrance of Changi Airport Terminal 2 (“the airport”) arrival hall. The accused had been stopped by auxiliary police officers (APOs) when attempting to enter a restricted area.
Investigations revealed that the accused had arrived from Bangkok and was unable to locate his checked-in baggage at the baggage claim hall. Afterwards assuming his employer, who was on the same flight, might have taken it, the accused proceeded to the public area and managed to contact his employer, who informed him that the bag was not with him.
The accused then attempted to re-enter the baggage claim hall through the staff entrance in search of his bag. When stopped by a female APO for unauthorised entry, he ignored instructions from her and eventually began hurling vulgarities and pointing his middle finger at her. After being stopped from leaving by the APO, the accused attempted to push his way past her, grabbing her chest as he did so. He also pushed other APOs who tried to intervene, and caused them annoyance and harassment by hurling vulgarities at them.
He was convicted of the following offences:
- One count of drunkenness in public places under Section 14(2) punishable under Section 14(2)(c) of the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act, which carries a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both;
- One count of using insulting communication against a public servant under Section 6(1) punishable under Section 6(3) of the Protection from Harassment Act 2014, which carries a fine up to $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both; and
- One count of using criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of their duty under Section 353 of the Penal Code 1871, which carries with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 4 years, or with fine, or with both.
The Police takes a serious view of any form of harassment and aggressive behaviours towards public servants and airport staff who are carrying out their duties to safeguard Singapore’s airport security. We will not condone any such behaviours, and offenders will be dealt with sternly in accordance with the law.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
17 April 2025 @ 12:30 PM