The Police have arrested two 18-year-old men and a 22-year-old man for affray and being a public nuisance. A 16-year-old male teenager was also arrested for using abusive language against public servants.
On 5 February 2021 at around 9.40pm, the Police were alerted to a fight at 30 Merchant Road. The three men had allegedly fought among themselves and caused public nuisance to members of the public in the vicinity.
One of the two 18-year-old men, in a white shirt, had allegedly head-butted the 22-year-old man during the scuffle. On arrival, the officers had already noted that there were facial injuries on the 18-year-old man in the white shirt which were purportedly sustained as a result of the fight and he was bleeding from the forehead. The 22-year-old man was noted to have suffered a broken tooth. Both were rendered medical assistance by the officers and paramedics at scene and the 18-year-old man in the white shirt was subsequently conveyed to the hospital. His preliminary medical report confirmed one laceration on the forehead. No other serious injuries were reported.
The 16-year-old male teenager was arrested when he intervened to try to stop officers from arresting the 18-year-old man in the white shirt, and hurled vulgarities against the officers.
Police investigations are ongoing.
The Police are aware of videos posted online that did not present the full account and sequence of events. There are allegations that the officers had used excessive force on the 18-year-old man in the white shirt resulting in him bleeding from the head. These allegations are untrue.
As explained above, the 18-year old man in the white shirt already had facial injuries and was already bleeding by the time the Police officers arrived on the scene. The officers had assessed the situation and applied necessary force on the man including the use of a baton in the course of arrest as he had put up a violent struggle to resist arrest. Contrary to the allegations, the officers did not hit the face of the man with the baton. The man was handcuffed after he was subdued.
Members of the public are advised not to speculate or spread unsubstantiated information.
Anyone with more information regarding the incident can call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000.
The offence of affray under Section 267A of the Penal Code carries a jail term of up to one year, a fine of up to $5000, or both. The offence of public nuisance under Section 268 of the Penal Code carries a jail term of up to 3 months, a fine of up to $2000, or both. The offence of using abusive language against a public servant under Section 6(3) of the Protection from Harassment Act carries a jail term of up to 12 months, a fine of up to $5000, or both.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
06 February 2021 @ 10:30 PM