The prosecution has recommended a week’s imprisonment and a $5,000 fine for Philip Richard Mockridge, 55, a Singapore permanent resident, who is accused of repeatedly failing to wear his mask properly in public during the pandemic.
Initially set to plead guilty on Monday (April 18), Mockridge requested more time to consider the proposed sentence, which he described as “extremely steep.” The case was adjourned after the defendant, who was not represented by a lawyer, stated that he had only recently received key court documents, including the statement of facts, and needed more time to review them.
Mockridge’s pre-trial conference is now scheduled for May 18. He faces three charges under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act, which alleges that he failed to wear his mask properly on three separate occasions: at Sengkang LRT/MRT stations, Serangoon MRT station, and a fast-food outlet at City Square Mall near Little India, between November 2020 and May 2021.
For each charge, a first-time offender could face up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $10,000, while a repeat offender may be sentenced to a year in jail and fined up to $20,000. Mockridge had previously been accused of a fourth charge of obstructing a public servant in the course of their duties, but that charge was withdrawn earlier this month, and he was discharged with an acquittal.
This discharge means that Mockridge cannot be recharged for the same offence.