Man in viral video charged with harassment

SINGAPORE — A 71-year-old man was charged in court on Friday (Nov 17) for harassing and causing hurt and annoyance to a foreigner on a train earlier this year.

Gan Thean Soon allegedly approached Mr Joseph Flynn De Marini on the night of April 17 while they were on a train heading towards Farrer Park and used expletives on him.

A video clip of the incident, which was posted online and shared widely on social networks, showed Gan telling Mr De Marini, a 25-year-old television development producer "I like you. I am gay...", as he invited the latter to have sexual intercourse with him.

He also allegedly slapped the American on the left side of his head and raised his voice at him, causing him annoyance.

Mr De Marini wrote a post on Facebook on the incident three days later, giving his account.

Gan will be remanded for psychiatric observation at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) for two weeks. The court heard that he had previously been to IMH, although no further details were given.

Under the Protection from Harassment Act, Gan could be jailed six months and fined S$5,000. He could also be jailed two years and fined S$5,000 for causing hurt, and fined an additional S$1,000 for being a public nuisance.

He returns to court on Dec 1.