A British expatriate was fined S$10,000 in court today (June 13) for spitting on a police officer in a drunken incident last year. He was spared a jail term.
British national Forgan Duncan, 34, pleaded guilty to spitting on the face of officer Walid Jamblatt Abdullah at about 1am on Dec 19, 2012.
Duncan, the editor of Tiger Airways’ inflight magazine Tiger Tales, had been out drinking earlier that night before returning to his residence. He was found lying on the ground along Spottiswoode Park Road.
The police were notified and two officers went to check on him. But Duncan challenged the officers to arrest him and, after he was handcuffed, he turned and spat on officer Walid Jamblatt’s face. One other charge of behaving in a disorderly manner was taken into consideration.
In his mitigation plea, Duncan’s lawyer said his client was “extremely remorseful, unconditionally apologetic and thoroughly ashamed for his conduct”.
The prosecution pressed for a custodial sentence but District Judge Ronald Gwee said a high fine would suffice. Duncan could have been jailed up to four years and fined for spitting on the officer.
Source: CHANNEL NEWSASIA