2 More People Fined for Breaking CB Rules in Robertson Quay; Claimed It Was a ‘Chance Meeting’

Previously, at Robertson Quay, people who gathered during the Circuit Breaker period has been fined.

Some were even banned permanently from Singapore.

But if you thought that was the end of it, think again.

2 More People Fined for Breaking CB Rules in Robertson Quay; Claimed It Was a ‘Chance Meeting’

On 22 Sep 2020, a verdict was reached for two other people who had broken Circuit Breaker rules in Robertson Quay.

The duo is not linked to the previous group of rulebreakers who were fined $8,000 and $9,000.

Alfred Jon Veloso Waring, 35, and Olagunju Daniel Olalekan Olasunkanmi, 31, were fined for gathering with friends during the circuit breaker period at Robertson Quay.

Both men are British Nationals.

What Happened

On 16 May, at around 3.47pm, Olasunkanmi was finishing a walk when he came across a female acquaintance who was seated at the steps in front of Rivergate Condominium.

They chatted until 3.50pm before he left to get some drinks.

He returned with a plastic bag of drinks and sat down with the woman he was chatting with.

Another woman with a child reportedly gathered with them.

At 4.53pm, Waring arrived at the steps and joined the group.

The group sat there and chatted until 6.45pm, with both men periodically leaving to get drinks and returning throughout the gathering.

When safe distancing ambassadors came across the group, several of them were not wearing their masks properly, or even at all.

There was no safe distancing of 1-metre between them either.

“A Chance Gathering”

The prosecution had asked for a fine of at least $9,000 for Waring and Olasunkanmi each.

They pointed out that the interaction was exceptionally long; 1 hour 51 minutes for Waring and 2 hours 45 minutes of Olasunkanmi.

It was added that the pair had broken the rules “in full view of the public” and didn’t care that their actions could cause alarm to people who were obeying safe distancing measures.

Their lawyer, however, asked for a fine of $7,000 each.

He said that the gathering was a “chance” encounter and that Waring had no intention to breach the laws.

He also pointed out that Olasunkanmi lives alone and was “confined along in isolation” during the CB period. He had also allegedly tried to seek emotional support during this period.

So when he “chanced” upon some friends, he couldn’t help but linger.

Fine / Jail

Waring was slapped with an $8,000 fine while Olasunkanmi was fined $8,500.

If, however, both individuals are not able to pay their fines, they’ll have to serve a jail term in lieu of payment.

Olasunkanmi will have to serve a 17-day jail if he is unable to pay the fine while Waring will have to serve a 16-day jail term.

It’s nearly October and even now, the courts are still busy charging people who broke the rules back during Circuit Breaker.

Now you know why the Attorney’s General Chambers has to practise prosecutorial discretion liao.

Where got time to charge everyone.

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