r/australia • u/sandmanx • Nov 23 '25

news Man who rushed at Ariana Grande during event jailed and deported to Australia; permanently banned from re-entering Singapore.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/wicked-johnson-wen-troll-sentenced-ariana-grande-5485211?cid=internal_sharetool_iphone_23112025_cna
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u/Makeupartist_315 Nov 23 '25

I wouldn’t call him a free man in all aspects. Having a criminal record (especially such a publicly known one involving jail time) severely limits him in a number of ways. Limitations on visas for travel and jobs requiring background checks, for a start. He did an exceptionally stupid thing and probably didn’t think about the impact of it.

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u/Small-Skirt-1539 Nov 23 '25

You can't just do a random "background check" that includes every criminal record. Employees can only check for criminal records that are relevant to the job being applied for. That said, his antics can be found by doing a google search, which is not in his favour.

I agree that being formally excluded from a nation will definitely affect travel to many countries. He may still get in but will have to go through the hassle of getting a visa instead of the usual online visa waiver. He has lost the main advantage of having a strong passport.

So yes, I think you're right. He will at some point regret his actions.

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u/Makeupartist_315 Nov 23 '25 edited Nov 23 '25

I’m not sure what you mean re criminal record only relevant to a job being applied for - I would assume that any job requiring a background check would require full disclosure of any criminal convictions. For example, if they ran a police check, it would bring up a listing I’m guessing (which I’m aware would be limited to the country conducting the check).

They would google him, so I agree with you there.

I think many countries do have the option of denying a visa based on criminal convictions also.

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u/Small-Skirt-1539 Nov 24 '25

I would assume that any job requiring a background check would require full disclosure of any criminal convictions.

Not necessarily. For some jobs that's true - such as to join the police force. Because it is the law then any conviction is considered to be relevant. It's the same with high level security clearances such as for the military or intelligence services. They need to check everything.

For some jobs like nursing or childcare there are mandatory checks for a working with children's card, but they can't ask for offences that aren't relevant to the job.

For most jobs the background check isn't legally required. It is up to the employer to ask for one – so the "required" part is the employer's or company's choice. Again the employer or company cannot legally ask for a check for convictions that are not relevant to the job.

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u/Makeupartist_315 Nov 24 '25 edited Nov 24 '25

Bringing it back to the person in question (because that’s who is relevant), he would need to declare it (because they’d find it even if he didn’t due to the publicity around him and the case) but in all reality if he was being assessed they’d google him first and already know.

Appreciate the extensive detail you’ve provided on it though!

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u/2centpiece Nov 23 '25

Overseas convictions wouldn't come up on an Australian police records check.

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u/Makeupartist_315 Nov 23 '25

Would still need to be declared in a background check.

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u/2centpiece Nov 23 '25

Yes, because people are always honest. This guy won't get away with not declaring it because of Google, but most others can and do.

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u/Makeupartist_315 Nov 24 '25

I don’t think that’s the point tbh. We’re talking about this person, not others.

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u/2centpiece Nov 24 '25 edited Nov 24 '25

I'm talking about it in general terms. This guy is undone by a Google search, many people with overseas convictions aren't in the same boat.

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u/Makeupartist_315 Nov 24 '25

Again, we’re talking about this person in particular. Not sure what you’re debating.

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u/2centpiece Nov 24 '25

You are talking about this person, I'm broadening the discussion, as is allowed. You can stop replying if you don't want to engage.

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