51-year-old Mohd Yusrin Bin Mohd Yusof was sentenced to 24 days’ jail for freeing crows from cages

[Nut]

‘I have no friends’: Man who freed trapped crows out of sympathy ends up behind bars in Singapore​

Malay Mail
Tue, 30 June 2026 at 3:08 pm GMT+8

Malay Mail

SINGAPORE, June 30 — A lonely Singaporean man who told a court he felt sorry for caged crows because he had “no friends” has been jailed after twice vandalising an NParks bird trap to set the birds free.

According to Chinese-language daily Lianhe Zaobao, 51-year-old Mohd Yusrin Bin Mohd Yusof was sentenced to 24 days’ jail after pleading guilty to one count of mischief for disrupting the duties of a public agency. Four other charges were taken into consideration during sentencing.

The unusual case centred on an NParks crow trap placed on a grass verge near Block 51 Havelock Road between March 1 and 7 as part of efforts to control the population of pest birds.

Court proceedings heard that shortly after midnight on March 2, Yusrin used a rock to smash the number lock securing the cage, allowing three trapped birds to escape.

The incident did not stop there.

After wildlife pest control workers inspected the trap and replaced the damaged lock later that day, Yusrin returned at about 10.59pm and toppled the cage with his hands, freeing another bird.

The damage bill totalled about S$4,000 (RM12,500), covering repairs to the trap and bounty payments of S$100 for each escaped crow.

Prosecutors argued that Yusrin’s actions interfered with the work of a government agency and had the potential to cause wider consequences, urging the court to impose a custodial sentence.

Yusrin admitted he deliberately damaged the trap because he believed the birds were suffering and wanted to release them.

In mitigation, he said he empathised with the trapped crows because he was lonely and had no friends.

The judge acknowledged Yusrin’s motivation but said sympathy alone could not justify breaking the law.

“As a community, we need to exercise control over certain things. You cannot let compassion override reason and disregard what you can or cannot do,” the judge reportedly said.

Charge sheets seen by Singapore-based media company Mothership showed Yusrin was already out on bail when he damaged the trap.

 

[True Believer]

Mohd Yusrin Bin Mohd Yusof should visit coffee shops around S'pore where other old men gather to admire each other's birds.

 

[True Believer]

The authorities should cut Mohd Yusrin Bin Mohd Yusof some slack. What he did is far less harmful than becoming radicalised.

 

[404]

I wondered whether the crows or he is locked up longer: the crows in the cage or he in his jail behind bars.

 

[True Believer]

I wondered whether the crows or he is locked up longer: the crows in the cage or he in his jail behind bars.

Do you think Mohd Yusrin Bin Mohd Yusof will "crow" about this incident?

 

[Dongyi]

The Court should sentence Mohd Yusrin to stay in one cage with the crows lah. Since he's got so much compassion for them, he can keep them company 24/7. No need to separate—best buddies already.

Then we'll see how long he can tahan the endless "caw caw caw." My guess? After two days with no peace and quiet, he'll be released and charged again in Court for murdering the birds. ​

 

[Truthspeak]

He should have applied a job in the bird park.

 

[True Believer]

The Court should sentence Mohd Yusrin to stay in one cage with the crows Since he's got so much compassion for them, he can keep them company 24/7. No need to separate—best buddies already.After two days with no peace and quiet, he'll be released and charged again in Court for murdering the birds.​

Mohd Yusrin will not like being caged up like a jail bird.

 

[True Believer]

He should have applied a job in the bird park.

Mohd Yusrin can take care of his own bird apart from the other birds all day long.

 

[Narong Wongwan]

Mohd Yusrin will not like being caged up like a jail bird.

I concur Abang likely ex inmate
We ex prisoners dun like to be locked up. You won’t see an ex inmate rearing birds or fishes

 

[True Believer]

I concur Abang likely ex inmate
We ex prisoners dun like to be locked up. You won’t see an ex inmate rearing birds or fishes

It would be a nostalgic experience for ex-inmates to be locked up. It would remind them of the good old days at the Changi Hilton.