A British national and Singapore permanent resident, Philip Richard Mockridge, has been charged in court for failing to wear a mask in public on three separate occasions amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The 54-year-old allegedly violated the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act between November 2020 and May 2021.

Mockridge is accused of not wearing a mask at Sengkang MRT station on Nov 26, 2020, around 10:15 pm. He purportedly committed the same offence at Serangoon MRT station on Dec 19, 2020, and again at City Square Mall, Kitchener Road, near Little India, on May 16, 2021.

Appearing in court on Jan 19, Mockridge was seen wearing a mask and informed the court of his intention to plead guilty without engaging legal representation. His bail was set at $15,000, and the case has been adjourned to Feb 3.

Under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act, a first-time offender could face up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $10,000, while repeat offenders risk up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $20,000.