Man, 71, charged with harassing and assaulting Caucasian commuter on MRT train

A 71-year-old man who allegedly harassed and slapped a foreigner on board an MRT train in April 2017, was charged on Friday (Nov 17).

The suspect, Gan Thean Soo, reportedly used abusive words on the American, Mr Joseph Flynn De Marini, and slapped him on the left side of his head about five minutes later.

Another charge states that Gan caused annoyance by raising his voice at Mr De Marini.

The incident was captured on video and uploaded onto Mr De Marini's Facebook page.

In the video, Gan, who seemed to be drunk, repeatedly made sexual advances on the Mr De Marini, saying that he wanted to have sex with the latter.

Mr De Marini's female friend intervened, and Gan allegedly yelled at and threatened her.

Gan was subsequently arrested on April 22 along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 by officers from the Ang Mo Kio Police Division.

If convicted of the offence of harassment, Gan can be fined up to $5,000, and/or jailed up to six months.

For the offence of voluntarily causing hurt, Gan could be jailed up to two years and or fined up to $5,000.

He also faces a fine of $1,000 for committing public nuisance, if found guilty.

Gan who was represented by a lawyer, has been remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for psychiatric observation.

He will be back in court on Dec 1, reported The Straits Times.