60s Man Sentenced for Assaulting Bus Driver and Passenger Over Mask Wearing Demand

A man in his 60s who was prosecuted for assaulting a bus driver and passengers over mask-wearing requirements was sentenced to prison. The photo is unrelated to the specific content of the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] A man in his 60s who repeatedly assaulted a bus driver and passengers for requesting mask-wearing was sentenced to prison.

The 11th Criminal Division of the Gwangju District Court (Presiding Judge Jeong Ji-seon) announced on the 20th that it sentenced Mr. A, who was indicted on charges including violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (assault on a driver), to one year in prison.

The court stated, "Mr. A assaulted the bus driver and passengers, causing discomfort and anxiety to many passengers. The culpability is serious. In particular, five months before this incident, on the same bus route, when a passenger protested by asking him to 'wear a mask,' he sexually assaulted that passenger and assaulted another passenger. He was prosecuted without detention for that offense and reoffended while undergoing trial."

However, the court explained the sentencing rationale, saying, "Considering that Mr. A admitted and reflected on each offense, that the bus driver was away from the driver's seat so the incident did not lead to a major accident, and the need to consider fairness if the past offense (one-year prison sentence) and this judgment were to be decided simultaneously, the sentence was determined comprehensively."

Mr. A was brought to trial on charges of assault after punching bus driver Mr. B (44) when Mr. B requested mask-wearing on a city bus stopped at a bus stop in Nampyeong-eup, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do, around 4:40 p.m. on December 17 last year.

Investigations revealed that Mr. A, who was intoxicated and not wearing a mask at the time, punched Mr. B, who told him to "wear a mask before boarding," and when Mr. B tried to report to the police, Mr. A struck his wrist causing his phone to drop. It was also confirmed that Mr. A continued to violently assault Mr. B indiscriminately afterward.

Previously, Mr. A was also prosecuted for obstructing bus operation for 10 minutes after headbutting, punching, and kicking another bus passenger.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.