Prison for man found wandering around NUS sports center, 6 pocketknives found on him

SINGAPORE – Armed with six penknives, a man loitered around the National University of Singapore sports center in August and threatened to harm a staff member who confronted him.

Sim Chuan Min, 38, was sentenced to three months in prison on October 23, after pleading guilty to one count of criminal intimidation.

A second charge of possessing all six weapons in a public place was considered during sentencing.

State Public Prosecutor (SPO) Ng Chee Wee told the court that on August 22, three men, including two employees of NUS Sports and the UTown management unit, spotted Sim loitering near the sports hall. elevator of the sports center around 11:30 a.m.

One of them recognized Sim as a person of interest because he had previously entered the NUS premises.

They then approached him to try to determine his identity and why he was loitering around the university.

When he refused to provide information, one of the men called the police.

SPO Ng said: “While waiting for the police to arrive… the accused took off his slippers. He then took out a penknife and extended the blade of the penknife. The accused held the penknife and picked up his slippers.

After that, Sim looked at one of the men and said, “Leave. I’m going to cut you.

Blade still outstretched, he sprinted ahead of the trio. CCTV from the sports center recorded the incident.

Two of the men ran after Sim, while the third called the police for a second time.

A few minutes later the two men caught up with Sim and one of them used a pipe to knock the penknife out of his hand.

They detained Sim until police arrived shortly after and arrested him.

Police searched him and found a plastic bag containing items, including five more pocket knives and a pair of scissors.