S'pore man, 53, molests women in police lock-up & court, gets 27 months' jail

A 53-year-old man in Singapore was sentenced to 27 months' jail on Oct. 1 after molesting multiple women, including at a police lock-up and in the State Courts.

According to The Straits Times, Colin Er Chin Ho pleaded guilty to three charges of outrage of modesty involving an auxiliary police officer, a cleaner, and a court employee.

The womens' identities were not disclosed as part of a gag order.

Molested employees at welfare home and police lock-up

The deputy public prosecutor (DPP) said the first offence took place on Jun. 17 at a welfare home where Er was then residing.

He had followed a cleaner, who was cleaning ceiling fans, into another room before grabbing her from behind and molesting her after she stepped down from a ladder.

Despite her cries for help and attempts to resist, he persisted until her colleagues intervened.

Er was arrested later that day and taken to a police division headquarters.

While being escorted to a property room at the regional lock-up, he molested a female auxiliary police officer, lunging at her despite being handcuffed in front.

He was then stopped by another officer who pulled him away.

Molested another woman in court while in handcuffs

On Jul. 3, when Er was brought to the State Courts, he targeted another woman working at the court lock-up.

Although handcuffed, he rushed at her and molested her.

She tried to fend him off but sustained bruising on her right forearm from his handcuffs during the struggle before officers restrained him.

Er pleaded guilty to three charges of outrage of modesty.

Two other similar charges and one count of voluntarily causing hurt were taken into consideration during sentencing.

According to ST, court documents indicated that Er was remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for medical examination.

However, the results have not been disclosed.

The DPP urged the court to impose a jail term of 21 to 26 months, adding that police officers are "exposed to the risk of violence and aggression daily" when performing front-line duties.

"There is a need to assure these officers of adequate protection and vindication against behaviour that might compromise their duties," she said.

Top photos via Canva & Mothership