Woman jailed for socialising and drinking with others during circuit breaker
Wan Ting Koh
·Senior Reporter
Thu, 3 February 2022, 5:34 pm·3-min read
Singapore's State Courts. (PHOTO: Edgar Su/Reuters)
SINGAPORE — A woman who kept leaving her flat to drink alcohol with other men during the circuit breaker period was warned when she was caught thrice but continued to do so three more times.
On one occasion, Letchimi, 37, was hanging out with men who had made lewd remarks at a passing woman, resulting in the woman calling the police.
Letchimi, who goes by one name, was jailed for 10 weeks on Thursday (3 February) after she pleaded guilty to three out of 10 charges under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020. These are for leaving her residence for a non-essential reason, and for gathering with others who do not live with her.
The remaining seven charges were considered for her sentencing.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Singapore implemented heightened safe-distancing measures to curb the spread of infections. From 7 April to 1 June 2020, the Singapore government imposed a circuit breaker during which Singapore residents could not meet others not living in the same residence for social purposes. Individuals were also not allowed to leave their homes unless for essential purpose.
Letchimi, however, continued to meet her friends in April and May 2020 to drink alcohol and socialise. Each time Letchimi was caught doing so, she was given a verbal reminder to refrain from her actions but she paid no heed, said the prosecution.
The fourth time she was caught at an HDB block in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5 on 27 April 2020, police officers had responded to a call from a woman who reported, “I pass the lift and they are gathering drinking alcohol and try to molest any girl that pass by. 3 Indian man and 2 Chinese uncle (sic).”
The woman was walking by when some individuals in the group made lewd comments at her.
Police officers went to the location and found Letchimi loitering at the void deck with five other men. They were friends or acquaintances of Letchimi who did not live with her. She had met them to chat and drink alcohol.
On a separate occasion on 13 May 2020, a man called the police at about 9.45 pm, stating that a neighbour was drinking and blocking the corridor.
Police officers who responded found Letchimi outside the unit with three other men who did not live with her. The group was drinking alcohol and having food.
On 21 May 2020, another person complained to the police about a group of six to seven people “drinking and making noise” at an open area in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8.
Officers spotted Letchimi with two other men in the area. The trio had been drinking alcohol and chatting.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Kenneth Kee sought at least 12 weeks’ jail for Letchimi, urging the court not to place any mitigating weight on her plea of guilt.
Letchimi’s hearing for her to plead guilty was fixed as early as 7 July 2020 but she sought multiple adjournments to obtain a psychiatric report and indicated she wanted to claim trial. To date, no psychiatric report was handed to the prosecution or to the court.
As to her intention to claim trial, this was a ploy by Letchimi to delay proceedings even though the evidence against her was overwhelming, said DPP Kee.
“The only rational and irresistible inference that can be drawn from the accused’s conduct thus far is the discernible lack of compunction for the undoubtedly serious offences against her,” he added.
For violating the COVID-19 safe management measures, Letchimi could have been jailed up to six months, and/or fined up to $10,000.
