Oct 16, 2008
Fined for locking library doors
By Sujin Thomas
Retiree Bin Hee Heng chose to represent himself in court but eventually pleaded guilty. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW
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AN ANGRY retiree who used a bicycle chain to lock a set of doors at the National Library Building in Victoria Street was yesterday fined $1,000.
Bin Hee Heng admitted in a district court to chaining the doors in March following an argument with library staff members. He was upset that security personnel had earlier locked up his bike, which was left illegally on a pedestrian walkway.
His guilty plea yesterday capped an at times bizarre one-day trial in which the 58-year-old represented himself.
On Tuesday, Bin cross-examined two policemen, one of whom arrived at the scene of the incident and the other who took his police statement a few days later.
At one point, he asked to strike one officer's testimony, saying it was inaccurate.
District Judge James Leong said his antics were more suited for 'American TV', one of several times he questioned the relevance of Bin's questions.
Bin, who was accompanied in court by his wife, said: 'I'm sorry. I have no legal experience. I'm thinking as I go along.'
When Deputy Public Prosecutor Robert Tan asked the court to have Bin's mental state assessed after he was heard talking to himself, Bin wore a troubled frown and said he did not want to continue with the trial. However, he maintained that his conduct in court was 'most appropriate' and that he had asked 'pertinent questions'.
The judge told him to consider his plea and adjourned the hearing till yesterday morning when Bin pleaded guilty.
The $1,000 fine is the maximum under the law for anyone found guilty of being a public nuisance.
On March 15, Bin's bicycle was chained up by a National Library security officer. It had been parked on a pedestrian walkway instead of a designated bicycle parking bay. Bin had already been served several notices for unauthorised parking at the building in the past.
In retaliation, he locked the steel handles of the glass doors at the library entrance. The police had to be called in before Bin removed his bicycle chain.
In urging the court to impose the maximum fine, Mr Tan said: 'The accused's act at the library is anti-social and is against public interest.
'By locking even one door, it inconveniences members of the public. It may also cause a panic among users who are still inside the library.'
