An Australian tourist, Moncrieff Marli Curtis Philip, 36, was sentenced to eight weeks’ jail on January 15 for threatening to crash his flight at Changi Airport. The incident stemmed from frustrations over disrupted holiday plans.
Moncrieff had planned a trip to Phuket from Perth with a stopover in Singapore, investing significant resources in the vacation. However, he was denied entry in Phuket due to missing visa pages in his passport. After being sent back to Singapore, he was denied entry again for the same reason.
At Changi Airport, immigration officers assisted Moncrieff in retrieving his anxiety and depression medication from his luggage and escorted him to a holding room to await repatriation. Around 5:40 AM on November 20, 2024, while boarding Jetstar flight JQ96 to Perth, Moncrieff expressed his anger, saying, “I want the aircraft to crash and kill everyone.”
A flight attendant overheard the remark and informed her managers, leading to Moncrieff’s removal from the flight. A thorough search of his belongings yielded no threats, and he was handed over to local authorities.
While waiting for another flight, Moncrieff reiterated his intention to crash the plane during a conversation with his girlfriend. This statement was overheard by an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer, who confirmed the threat and attempted to calm him down. Despite the officer’s efforts, Moncrieff remained agitated, requested imprisonment, and expressed suicidal thoughts.
In court, Deputy Public Prosecutor Shaun Lim emphasized the severe implications of Moncrieff’s words, highlighting their impact on Singapore’s reputation as an air hub and the necessity for deterrence. The prosecution sought a sentence of eight to twelve weeks’ imprisonment.
Moncrieff’s defense, represented by Pro Bono SG, requested a lighter sentence of one to two weeks, citing his struggles with anxiety, depression, and the emotional toll of losing his planned holiday. Defense lawyer Benedict Koh presented an apology letter and a psychologist’s document detailing Moncrieff’s mental health condition. However, the court found no concrete evidence linking his psychiatric condition to the offense.
Principal District Judge Toh Han Li acknowledged Moncrieff’s remorse and the lack of tangible harm caused by his actions but stressed the importance of general deterrence in aviation security. He remarked that Moncrieff understood the gravity of his words, given his contemplation of imprisonment.
Judge Toh reiterated the seriousness of the incident, noting that even verbal threats can have far-reaching consequences, especially in sensitive environments like airports. Moncrieff’s sentence underscores the importance of maintaining security and decorum in public spaces, regardless of personal frustrations.
Comments
Post a Comment