Australian man jailed in Singapore for spitting at police, urinating towards officers

An Australian man who caused a disturbance at Singapore’s Changi Airport before repeatedly abusing police officers was sentenced to five months and six weeks in jail and fined S$5,000. — AFP pic

First Published: Sunday, 01 Nov 2026 10:43 AM MYT

Last Modified: Sunday, 01 Nov 2026 10:48 AM MYT

SINGAPORE, Nov 1 — An Australian man was sentenced to five months and six weeks in jail on Friday after spitting at police officers and urinating in their direction.

Morris David, 52, will serve his imprisonment with effect from July 16, the day he entered Singapore and a day before he was remanded, and faces an additional fine of S$5,000 (RM16,000), according to court documents.

During sentencing, District Judge Sharmila Sripathy-Shanaz highlighted the man’s continuous belligerent and aggressive behaviour over 32 hours.

“His actions demonstrate a prolonged and flagrant disregard for authority and the dignity of the public officers involved,” she said, as quoted by CNA.

She also called the “inherently degrading and unsanitary nature” of him urinating at the officers “particularly reprehensible” and said that he also threatened to defecate and throw faeces at them at the time.

The judge added that his sentence signals that this behaviour would not be tolerated.

32 hours of abusive behaviour

On July 16, Morris landed in Changi Airport from Bali on his way to Australia.

Having suffered a head injury in Bali, he was brought in a wheelchair to the clinic at Terminal 3, but left after learning he would have to pay for treatment.

The police were initially called when Morris got belligerent with a manager at the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold Lounge.

He was sent to Changi General Hospital for treatment but returned to the airport afterwards.

Morris went to the departure hall with an invalid boarding pass but demanded entry into the lounge and to board his flight.

An auxiliary police officer escorted him to the Singapore Airlines check-in counter for assistance but Morris grew loud and vulgar with him.

He then attempted to call a taxi, but was approached by other police officers whom he got verbally abusive with.

According to the chart sheets, when an officer touched his shoulder, he threatened: “Touch me one more time, I swear to god, I will knock your glass off your head.”

He was eventually brought back to Changi General Hospital and sedated, while police officers kept watch over him.

The chart sheets stated that he threatened six officers throughout his hospital stay and spat at them multiple times, threatening two of them by saying: “I want to grab your throat and choke you” and “Come here, let me choke you, fat pig.”

Morris later tried to bite an officer when they attempted to put a mask on him.

He also asked to use the toilet twice, and was offered the potty and urinal bottle. He then threatened to defecate and throw his faeces at the officers, and eventually urinated in their direction.

The prosecution asked for eight months and one week in jail for Morris, arguing that he was offensive and derogatory with “no respect” for local police and had committed several offences in such a short period of time.

His defence, however, said that Morris was remorseful and apologetic, and ready to face his consequences and apologise to the police.

They asked for a fine and a shorter jail sentence.

Under the Protection from Harassment Act 2014, it is an offence to use or make any indecent, threatening, abusive or insulting words, or behaviour towards a public servant or public service worker.

Offenders face imprisonment of up to 12 months and/or a fine not exceeding S$5,000.

Those who assault or use criminal force on a public servant executing their duty also face up to four years in prison and a fine. — AsiaOne