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| Clariel Griffin is the wife of British national Clive Ainsley Griffin, who was also fined for refusing to wear a mask at Marina Bay Sands during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clariel Griffin outside the State Courts on Jun 24, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Syamil Sapari) |
Renee Kuek
24 Jun 2024
SINGAPORE: A woman was fined S$9,200 (US$6,800) on Monday (Jun 24) for failing to wear a mask and using criminal force on a safe-distancing ambassador during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Clariel Griffin, a 49-year-old Singaporean, violated COVID-19 regulations in September 2021 at Marina Bay Sands (MBS), along with her husband, British national Clive Ainsley Griffin.
Source: CNA/rk(gr)
SINGAPORE: A woman was fined S$9,200 (US$6,800) on Monday (Jun 24) for failing to wear a mask and using criminal force on a safe-distancing ambassador during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Clariel Griffin, a 49-year-old Singaporean, violated COVID-19 regulations in September 2021 at Marina Bay Sands (MBS), along with her husband, British national Clive Ainsley Griffin.
She pleaded guilty to one count of failing to wear a mask, and one count of criminal force to a public servant, with a third charge of public nuisance taken into consideration.
Griffin and her husband had dinner and alcohol at the Dallas Bar in MBS with a group of friends on Sep 11, 2021.
The group did not finish their drinks despite two reminders to do so, as consumption of alcohol was not allowed past 10.30pm.
At about 10.30pm, the bar owner saw safe-distancing ambassadors patrolling the area to ensure no alcohol was being consumed past the permitted time, and told one of them about the issue he was facing.
The Griffins left the bar, but were seen walking without masks in MBS by safe-distancing ambassadors.
Despite being asked to put their masks on, the couple refused. At the time, wearing masks in public places was mandatory due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of the ambassadors then took out her phone and recorded the incident. Various video clips were captured of Griffin's subsequent actions, the court heard.
Griffin responded to the ambassador saying that she "didn't give a f*** (about the regulations)", and that she would not live her life like this.
She then taunted the ambassador by asking her to record and "catch (her)" for not wearing a mask.
During this incident, Griffin pulled down the ambassador's mask without her consent.
The court also heard that Griffin continuously walked very closely towards the ambassador, forcing her to backpedal to avoid being walked into.
The prosecution sought a fine of S$1,200 and one to two weeks' jail. Griffin's husband had also been fined S$1,200 for his role in the case.
Griffin's defence lawyers Silas Siew, Cory Wong and Josephus Tan from Invictus Law asked that she be sentenced to probation instead.
In the alternative, they asked for a fine to be imposed.
The lawyers said that Griffin had been experiencing mood changes and anger management issues following treatment for cancer.
They also noted that Griffin had no prior convictions and was at low risk for re-offending.
For failing to wear a mask in public without reasonable excuse, she could have been jailed up to six months, fined up to S$10,000, or both.
For using criminal force on a public servant, she could have been jailed for up to four years, fined, or both.
Griffin and her husband had dinner and alcohol at the Dallas Bar in MBS with a group of friends on Sep 11, 2021.
The group did not finish their drinks despite two reminders to do so, as consumption of alcohol was not allowed past 10.30pm.
At about 10.30pm, the bar owner saw safe-distancing ambassadors patrolling the area to ensure no alcohol was being consumed past the permitted time, and told one of them about the issue he was facing.
The Griffins left the bar, but were seen walking without masks in MBS by safe-distancing ambassadors.
Despite being asked to put their masks on, the couple refused. At the time, wearing masks in public places was mandatory due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of the ambassadors then took out her phone and recorded the incident. Various video clips were captured of Griffin's subsequent actions, the court heard.
Griffin responded to the ambassador saying that she "didn't give a f*** (about the regulations)", and that she would not live her life like this.
She then taunted the ambassador by asking her to record and "catch (her)" for not wearing a mask.
During this incident, Griffin pulled down the ambassador's mask without her consent.
The court also heard that Griffin continuously walked very closely towards the ambassador, forcing her to backpedal to avoid being walked into.
The prosecution sought a fine of S$1,200 and one to two weeks' jail. Griffin's husband had also been fined S$1,200 for his role in the case.
Griffin's defence lawyers Silas Siew, Cory Wong and Josephus Tan from Invictus Law asked that she be sentenced to probation instead.
In the alternative, they asked for a fine to be imposed.
The lawyers said that Griffin had been experiencing mood changes and anger management issues following treatment for cancer.
They also noted that Griffin had no prior convictions and was at low risk for re-offending.
For failing to wear a mask in public without reasonable excuse, she could have been jailed up to six months, fined up to S$10,000, or both.
For using criminal force on a public servant, she could have been jailed for up to four years, fined, or both.
Source: CNA/rk(gr)
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