SINGAPORE: A man was fined S$1,000 by a court on Tuesday (Jan 31) for removing a Progress Singapore Party poster from a lamp post during the 2020 General Election.
His lawyer said he is unable to pay the fine and will instead serve four days’ jail in default.
Constantine Paul, a 53-year-old Singaporean, pleaded guilty to one count of removing a poster under the Parliamentary Elections Act. Another three charges were considered in sentencing.
The court heard that the poster was secured with cable ties at the top and bottom.
On Jun 30, 2020, Paul was riding a bicycle when he saw two posters with the PSP logo on them.
He dismounted, removed the posters on the lamp posts along Bukit Batok East Avenue 5, and left.
A police officer on patrol came across the two damaged posters in the early hours of the next morning.
The posters were sent for forensic investigations and fingerprints lifted from them matched Paul’s. He was identified after extensive investigations and arrested at his home, the court heard.
Lawyer Stephania Wong, who represented Paul under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, said this was not a politically motivated offence.
She said Paul was on his way home that day when he purportedly witnessed another passer-by scolding vulgarities while pointing at a People’s Action Party poster.
Paul reacted by committing the offence in a “spontaneous fit of anger”, as he found the passer-by’s actions “offensive and extremely inappropriate”, said Ms Wong.
His acts were not motivated by any intent to thwart the election campaign, she said.
She agreed with the prosecutor’s submission for a fine of S$1,000, but asked for a lower in-default jail term of four days.
She said Paul cannot pay the fine. He is receiving financial assistance of S$450 a month from the Ministry of Social and Family Development, and suffers from physical and psychiatric conditions.
Paul is a patient at the Institute of Mental Health, with a history of depression and a background of narcissistic personality traits, Ms Wong said.
He also has heart problems and arthritis.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Selene Yap said there was no evidence of anyone who spoke to Paul or scolded vulgarities, but accepted that there was also no evidence that his actions were politically motivated.
For removing a poster displayed as part of Parliamentary Elections advertising, a person can be jailed for up to 12 months or fined up to S$1,000, under the Parliamentary Elections Act.