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SINGAPORE – Annoyed that he was asked to wear his mask correctly while boarding an SBS bus, Gan Wee Yeow pulled out a knife and threatened the bus driver, not the first time the 50-year-old has brandished weapons in public.
On Wednesday (March 24), Gan pleaded guilty to six counts: three for criminal intimidation and one for willfully causing harm, possession of offensive weapons without a legal purpose or authority, and mischief.
District Judge Janet Wang will consider seven other charges when sentencing him at a later date.
Two are for illegal possession of offensive weapons and another two are for dishonest misappropriation of property. The remaining charges include one count each of use of criminal force, mischief, and not wearing a mask at all times while away from your usual place of residence.
Gan’s threatening behavior occurred over a period of one month last year.
On July 27, he had a dispute with a Gojek driver on East Coast Road when he was unable to pay the full fare for the trip.
He threatened the driver with a hammer he was carrying and used it to damage the car’s center console.
Three days later, Gan threatened a Certis officer with a hammer at the Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange berth.
The officer, who saw Gan standing on the bunk with some items scattered on the floor in front of him, had told him that he was not allowed to wait in the area.
The court heard that Gan reacted aggressively and began yelling at the officer. Later he approached him with the hammer raised and kicked him in the thigh.
The incident involving the bus driver occurred about a month later, on August 26.
The bus driver noticed that he was talking on the phone with the mask down and told him to put it on the right way.
Gan, who was getting on the bus, responded by hurling vulgarities at the driver.
He then threatened the driver with a knife.
The victim pressed the panic alarm button on the bus and returned to the bus interchange.
Gan was later arrested by police officers at the Yishun MRT station. They found him with a knife and a razor, which were seized.
But three days later, he threatened another person with a knife at a coffee shop in Yishun.
The victim, who was working in the cafeteria at the time, had informed Gan that his drink, which he had purchased earlier, was ready to be collected.
“The defendant perceived that the victim had rushed him and was offended as a result,” said Assistant District Attorney Eugene Teh.
The staff member then called the police.
On Wednesday, pleading for mercy, Gan said he was not taking medication for his bipolar condition at the time and asked for a probation sentence.
He said he would not be able to renew his license as a security officer, which will expire in May, if he is jailed. The court heard that he had been in that position since June 2016.
District Judge Wang asked for a report assessing Gan’s suitability for a mandatory treatment order (MTO). Offenders who receive an MTO will be treated for their mental condition instead of going to jail.
Gan’s case is expected to be heard again on April 8.
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