Man arrested on suspicion of vandalising room in State Courts

SINGAPORE — In what could be a first, a room in the State Courts was vandalised and a 52-year-old man has been arrested in connection to the case.

TODAY understands the vandalism happened on Wednesday, in a room at the pre-trial conference centre on the mezzanine floor of the State Courts.

The room is for lawyers and their clients to hold discussions.

A man, who was wearing a cap, had entered the centre during lunch hours, when the room was empty. It is understood that he allegedly used a red marker to scrawl some Chinese characters on a wall.

The man then left the State Courts but returned later and was arrested.

He was identified using surveillance camera footage.

In response to media queries, the police said they received a call on Wednesday at about 2.40pm, asking for assistance at 1 Havelock Square, the State Courts’ address.

“Upon arrival, it was established that a case of vandalism had occurred at the said location,” said a police spokesperson. Investigations are in progress.

Under the Penal Code, the maximum punishment for vandalism is a fine of up to S$2,000 or a jail term of up to three years.

A convicted person shall also be liable for caning of at least three strokes and up to eight strokes, unless it was his first conviction for vandalism.