Singapore fines American tourist for attacking restaurant manager

By Hoang Vu January 10, 2024 | 03:40 pm PT

Young people at Merlion Park in Singapore, July 14, 2020. Photo by Reuters

An American tourist was fined S$5,500 (US$4,100) by a court in Singapore for physically attacking and spewing profanities at a manager of a restaurant.

Greg Austin Lynn, 54, pleaded guilty to one count of using criminal force and another of using abusive words at the Monday court, Channel News Asia reported.

A video, which went viral in June last year, showed Lynn pushing and yelling at the manager of Shashlik Restaurant located in Orchard Road after he was informed that the kitchen had closed, and he would not be able to place an order.

At about 9 p.m. on June 18, he arrived at the restaurant and was received by the restaurant’s manager, identified as Tan, who explained that the kitchen was already closed.

The tourist then pushed Tan on the chest, causing him to stumble backwards.

Lynn continued to use vulgarities and shout loudly in acts captured by CCTV footage.

Prosecutors said the words Lynn used were "highly insulting and abusive," Today Online reported.

He also insulted the manger’s family, threatened to harm his business and used "racially charged language," the court ruled.

Under Singapore’s law, those using abusive words can be jailed for up to six months, and fined up to S$5,000.

Those using criminal force can face a jail term of up to three months, and fined up to S$1,500.