<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Oct 15, 2008
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>'Public nuisance' fined <!--10 min-->
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Sujin Thomas
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Representing himself, Bin Hee Heng, 58, claimed trial on Tuesday and cross-examined two policemen who investigated the case. On March 15, Bin's bicycle was chained up by an NLB security officer. -- PHOTO: THE NEWPAPER
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"-->A RETIREE who used a bicycle chain to lock the doors of an entrance at the National Library Building along Victoria Street was fined $1,000 on Wednesday.
It is the maximum sentence imposed under the law for anyone found guilty of being a public nuisance.
Representing himself, Bin Hee Heng, 58, claimed trial on Tuesday and cross-examined two policemen who investigated the case.
District Judge James Leong had to repeatedly question the relevance of his questions and told him that his antics were more suited for 'American TV'.
Mr Leong made that remark when Bin asked to strike off a policeman's testimony which he felt was inaccurate.
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.'
But when Deputy Public Prosecutor Robert Tan asked the court to have Bin's mental state assessed after he was heard talking to himself, Bin frowned and said he did not want to continue with the trial.
=> Sounds like the Papayas are ever ready to lock up their critics
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 to Wednesday morning when he pleaded guilty.
On March 15, Bin's bicycle was chained up by an NLB security officer.
It had been parked on a pedestrian walkway at the library instead of at a designated bicycle parking bay at the nearby Bain Street, court papers said. He had earlier been served several notices for unathorised parking at the NLB in the past.
In retaliation, Bin locked the steel handles of the glass doors at the library entrance at about 7pm, triggering a public standoff.
The police had to be called in before Bin removed his bicycle chain from the glass doors.
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 because there are many users at this library. 'By locking even one door, it inconveniences members of the public. It may also cause a panic for users who are still inside the library.'
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>'Public nuisance' fined <!--10 min-->
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Sujin Thomas
</TD></TR><!-- show image if available --><TR vAlign=bottom><TD width=330>
</TD><TD width=10>
Representing himself, Bin Hee Heng, 58, claimed trial on Tuesday and cross-examined two policemen who investigated the case. On March 15, Bin's bicycle was chained up by an NLB security officer. -- PHOTO: THE NEWPAPER
</TD></TR><TR><TD>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"-->A RETIREE who used a bicycle chain to lock the doors of an entrance at the National Library Building along Victoria Street was fined $1,000 on Wednesday.
It is the maximum sentence imposed under the law for anyone found guilty of being a public nuisance.
Representing himself, Bin Hee Heng, 58, claimed trial on Tuesday and cross-examined two policemen who investigated the case.
District Judge James Leong had to repeatedly question the relevance of his questions and told him that his antics were more suited for 'American TV'.
Mr Leong made that remark when Bin asked to strike off a policeman's testimony which he felt was inaccurate.
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.'
But when Deputy Public Prosecutor Robert Tan asked the court to have Bin's mental state assessed after he was heard talking to himself, Bin frowned and said he did not want to continue with the trial.
=> Sounds like the Papayas are ever ready to lock up their critics
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 to Wednesday morning when he pleaded guilty.
On March 15, Bin's bicycle was chained up by an NLB security officer.
It had been parked on a pedestrian walkway at the library instead of at a designated bicycle parking bay at the nearby Bain Street, court papers said. He had earlier been served several notices for unathorised parking at the NLB in the past.
In retaliation, Bin locked the steel handles of the glass doors at the library entrance at about 7pm, triggering a public standoff.
The police had to be called in before Bin removed his bicycle chain from the glass doors.
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 because there are many users at this library. 'By locking even one door, it inconveniences members of the public. It may also cause a panic for users who are still inside the library.'
