SINGAPORE — A 44-year-old man with a history of schizophrenia was charged in a district court on Friday (April 24) with several offences allegedly committed during the ongoing circuit breaker period.

Shake Mohammed Abdul Samad Haji Abduraheem faces one count of using criminal force to deter a public servant from his duty and three charges under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020.

The Singaporean was also handed a fifth charge of spitting in a public place under the Environmental Public Health Act.

Court documents stated that he allegedly left his home without a reasonable excuse and failed to wear a face mask over his nose and chin while at the void deck of Block 99 Aljunied Crescent, where he is also said to have spat. 

He allegedly did not comply with requests from a National Environment Agency enforcement officer when asked to provide his name and address, and is said to have touched the officer’s hand and mobile phone with a beer can. 

A police prosecutor told the court that Shake was last convicted in February for committing an obscene act and had been assessed at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) to be not of unsound mind at the time.

District Judge Lorraine Ho, however, noted that he has been treated at the IMH for schizophrenia and that when he was arrested for his latest alleged offences, he “exhibited unusual behaviour, including talking to himself and behaving emotionally”.

She ordered for Shake to be assessed at IMH again. 

He will return to court on May 8.

Several others have been hauled to court recently over alleged Covid-19 offences, including a 56-year-old man accused of hurling vulgarities at a policewoman while sitting on a public bench in Toa Payoh earlier this month.

The Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020 came into force on April 8, providing the legal basis for the Government to enforce enhanced safe distancing measures. 

Individuals must wear a mask once out of their homes and should not leave their homes unless for essential purposes.