1 week in jail for Briton caught on video punching, verbally abusing security supervisor

SINGAPORE — An expatriate who was caught on camera hurling vulgarities at a 59-year-old security supervisor at Roxy Square Shopping Centre, tripping him and then punching him in the face was sentenced to one week in jail on Monday (Sept 23).

British national Stuart Boyd Mills, 47, had consumed about a third of a bottle of whisky and was drunk a little after midnight on April 4 this year when he attacked Mr Andrew Lim Cheng Hock, who works for Regal Security and Fire Management Services.

On Monday, Mills pleaded guilty to one count of voluntarily causing hurt to Mr Lim. Another charge of intent to cause Mr Lim distress by using abusive words was taken into consideration during sentencing.

The court heard that Mills – a Singapore permanent resident – had returned to Roxy Square to apologise for his actions after he sobered up, and was then referred to the police. Mills is the owner of advertising agency The Creative Mills.

In sentencing Mills, District Judge Christopher Tan said his apology — made even though he knew it was likely to lead to his identification — differentiated his case from others where attackers would flee and be apprehended after investigations.

But the judge said custodial threshold has been crossed in light of the facts of the case, noting that the attack was “entirely unprovoked” and the blow he delivered had broken Mr Lim’s glasses.

“Furthermore, the victim tried to walk away, but (Mills) didn’t allow him to do so and went after him,” said the judge.

FRUSTRATED AFTER HE COULD NOT FIND THE EXIT

The court heard that Mills was frustrated that night as he could not find an unlocked exit to get out of Roxy Square after a drinking session with his friend at one of the mall’s pubs.

Mr Lim explained to Mills that there were two open exits and two fire exits that were operational, and offered to show him the exit so he could leave. But Mills was dissatisfied and proceeded to quarrel with him over the number of exits.

Noticing that Mills was getting more and more indignant and aggressive, Mr Lim then got a colleague to record a video on his mobile phone. Mills then also filmed the encounter.

Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Vincent Ong said Mr Lim did not scold or shout, but Mills had told him to “shut the f*** up” and called him an “idiot”.

As Mr Lim was walking towards the exit to show Mills the way out, the Briton blocked his way with his body and used his right foot to try to trip him when he tried to move past.

Mr Lim stumbled but did not fall, and it was Mills who instead lost his balance and almost fell.

Mills then got angry and punched Mr Lim on his face, causing him to fall and his spectacles to break.

Mills told Mr Lim to “f*** off” again before leaving the scene. Mr Lim then called the police.

Although he did not seek medical attention immediately, Mr Lim felt a throbbing pain near his right eyebrow some six hours later. No fracture was found, but he got 12 days of medical leave and incurred medical expenses of S$1,070.82. He also paid S$248 for replacement spectacles.

These expenses were covered as Mills had paid voluntary compensation of S$2,000 to Mr Lim through the investigation officer.

RETURNED TO ROXY SQUARE AFTER CONFIDING IN WIFE

DPP Ong also noted that Mills had returned to Roxy Square, after viewing the footage he had recorded on his mobile phone and confiding in his wife, a Singaporean, about the matter.

Mills’ lawyer, Mr Ramesh Tiwary, said his return was what led to his arrest. He also co-operated with the police, and indicated in court from the beginning that he had wanted to plead guilty, he pointed out.

“He was really very ashamed about what he has done, and repeatedly said that he regrets his actions. It was uncalled for, and he understands that,” said Mr Tiwary, noting that it is Mills’ first brush with the law in Singapore and overseas. “He realised (he was wrong) when he saw how bizarre and unexplainable his behaviour was.”

Mills has since been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, and is taking steps to reform and correct his behaviour, the lawyer said.

Mr Tiwary added that Mills now knows of the consequences of such an offence as he had become the subject of abuse and hatred after the incident.

He had received phone calls and letters as somebody had released his personal information online after the video of his altercation with Mr Lim went viral, Mr Tiwary noted, adding that the most recent abusive messages were two weeks ago.

For punching Mr Lim, Mills could have been jailed for up to two years, fined up to S$5,000 or both.