S'porean man, 42, jailed for repeatedly molesting female co-worker, 24, during night shift

A 42-year-old man was sentenced to 26 months and six strokes of the cane on Aug. 21 after repeatedly molesting his colleague at work.

He pleaded guilty to three charges of molestation, with another three similar charges considered in sentencing.

The woman was 24-years-old at the point of the assault.

The man, who used to be the woman’s team leader, cannot be named due to a gag order protecting the victim's identity.

Molested colleague during night shift

The offences took place in February 2024.

On Feb 6, 2024, the man first hugged the victim from behind for five minutes without her consent when they were deployed together on the night shift.

Overnight from Feb.8 and 9, 2024, they were alone again as the only members of the team on the night shift.

Around 1:30am, the man made the victim sit on his lap, hugged her from behind and molested her.

He continued even though she said no when he asked if what he was doing was okay.

The man then reached under the victim's t-shirt and singlet and rubbed her breasts under her bra with both hands for about five to 10 minutes.

He then unbuttoned and unzipped her pants but the victim held onto the waistband. He asked her if it was okay and she said no and re-fastened her pants. The man then continued rubbing the victim’s breasts and asked if it was okay, which the victim once again said no.

He then stopped but continued hugging her from behind.

After some time, the man eventually fell asleep. Upon waking about an hour later, he was still hugging the victim and molested her again.

The man dozed off once more and woke up around 5:30am. He continued to kiss and touch the victim, asking, “Can or not?”.

Although she said no, he only paused briefly before continuing to molest her for another five to 10 minutes.

The victim did not struggle as they were alone in the office and she was afraid of what he might do.

Around 6:30am, the woman heard people passing by outside the room and told the man she needed to use the toilet so that he would let her leave.

She then hid in the toilet and sent a friend a text message for support.

Later that morning at 10:11am, she sent a text message to her reporting officer telling him something had happened and she no longer felt comfortable working in her team.

They spoke on the next occasion when the reporting officer was in the office, and the woman told him what had happened.

She made a police report on Feb. 13, 2024 and the man was arrested the next day.

Victim was diagnosed with PTSD and depression

After the assault, the woman experienced poor sleep, nightmares, flashbacks of the incident, thoughts of self-harm, and was fearful of other people touching her, according to court documents.

She was referred to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital for psychological trauma and was subsequently diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression.

During court proceedings, the prosecution asked for 28 to 34 months' jail and eight strokes of the cane.

The defence sought 11 months' jail and six strokes of the cane, CNA reported.

The man was also ordered to pay S$766.56 for the expenses the woman incurred seeking psychiatric and psychological treatment after the assault.

Top image via Unsplash