Singapore  - A 58-year-old retiree was charged with putting a bicycle chain around the main door handles of Singapore's National Library, news reports said on Friday.

Bin Hee Heng's bicycle had allegedly been chained up previously in March by library staff because it was parked on a pedestrian walkway instead of a designated bicycle rack.

The cyclist was accused in district court of retaliating by chaining up the glass doors that evening, The Straits Times said. The police were called.

Unrepresented by a lawyer, Bin told the court on Thursday that he was not an "anti-social element" and usually visits the library four times a week to read foreign newspapers.

He pleaded with the prosecution to be compassionate.

The case has been adjourned to June 12. If convicted, Bin faces a fine of up to 1,000 Singapore dollars (740 US dollars).

The library has installed 10 bicycle racks near the entrance. (dpa)