SINGAPORE: A woman who was sentenced to prison last year for failing to wear a mask in public areas during the COVID-19 pandemic was given another prison term on Monday( Sep 11 ) for comparable offenses.
Phoon Chiu Yoke, 56, received a fine of S$ 3, 000 ( US$ 2, 200 ) and nine weeks in prison.
After a trial in which influencer Xiaxue took the witness stand, she was found guilty last month of four charges for failing to appear at an investigation by the Singapore Tourism Board( STB ) and nbsp.
The offenses occurred last year on March 6 outside of & nbsp, at the Mandarin Gallery, and on August 16 in ION Orchard. & nbsp,
In Singapore, wearing a mask outside was merely made recommended on March 29 of last year. On August 29 of last year, that was extended to domestic locations, excluding public transportation and healthcare facilities.
Phoon & nbsp gained notoriety in May 2021 and gained the moniker” badge lady” for insisting on seeing a safe distancing ambassador’s badge after being instructed to don one.
She failed to refute her faith earlier, but on Monday she requested a great during her sentencing hearing. & nbsp,
She claimed that since the offenses were no longer crimes, a check sentence was unnecessary. Tan Jen Tse, the city judge, disagreed. & nbsp,
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Even though wearing a mask was no longer required, the judge said that when there were serious problems about public health, possible offenders needed to be warned clearly. In addition, & nbsp,
He continued by saying that Phoon had not learned her lesson by reoffending over equivalent offenses six weeks after being released from prison. Phoon had previously spent 16 months in prison in September 2021 for a different situation. & nbsp,
Phoon also suggested that moderation take into account her background as a past naval officer. However, the judge stated that he could not give this aspect any weight.
Phoon, on the other hand, should have & nbsp appreciated the need to strictly abide by laws rather than repeatedly disobeying them, the judge said, having been in such a position. & nbsp,
Phoon claimed she was medically unfit to serve time in prison without providing any specifics, but the judge ruled that she had not presented any clinical proof to back up her” plain assertion.” & nbsp,
Phoon had never raised any major mitigating factors, the judge noted. Andnbsp, He asserted that he did not understand how Phoon’s argument that she had formerly served time in prison for comparable offenses could be a mitigating factor. & nbsp,
Heershan Kaur, the deputy public prosecutor, demanded eight to fourteen months in prison and a fine of Randomness$ 2,000 to S$ 3,000 for Phoon.
Common deterrence is still a valid sentencing factor even though we are now in the endemic stages, according to the prosecution.
To convey that conformity with laws and regulations established for social public safety is required and that personal or selfish impulses to disregard health protocols established to include a public health risk will not be tolerated,” a sentence that has the effect of public deterrence is required.
After the sentence was handed down, Phoon, who was speaking on her behalf, requested a postponement of her prison sentence so that she could get medical documentation certifying her as” inadequate” to serve time.
Although the prison doctor had evaluate Phoon as well, the prosecutors did not object to the postponement. & nbsp,
Phoon was given permission by Judge Tan to postpone her word until September 18. & nbsp,
As a repeat offender, Phoon could have been jailed for up to one month, fines of Randomness$ 20, 000, or both for failing to cover his face when necessary. & nbsp,
For a repeat offense of disobeying an official during an investigation under the Infectious Diseases Act, the punishments are the same.