S'porean man, 66, a double amputee, jailed for sexually assaulting boy, then 12, giving him cash & cigarettes

A man was sentenced to 12 years and 11 months in prison for sexually assaulting a teen on at least 10 occasions between 2020 and 2023.

Each time, he would give the teen cash and/or cigarettes in return for the sexual acts.

When the assaults began in 2020, the man was about 60 years old, while the victim was 12.

Now 66, Abdul Rahim Sa’ad pleaded guilty on Jul. 17 to two charges of sexual assault by penetration, The Straits Times (ST) reported.

He also faced 14 other charges for similar offences against the same victim, and for taking explicit photos of the victim, that were taken into consideration for sentencing.

His prison sentence includes four months’ jail in lieu of caning, as being above 50 years old, he cannot be caned.

According to ST, Rahim uses a wheelchair as both his legs had been amputated below the knee.

The assaults

Rahim and the victim became acquainted sometime in April 2020, according to court documents seen by Mothership.

Rahim struck up a conversation with the victim as he was passing by on his way to visit a friend who stayed on the same floor as Rahim.

Rahim and the victim would also smoke cigarettes on occasion.

On Apr. 29, 2020, the victim visited Rahim and asked him for a cigarette. When Rahim asked the victim to show him his underwear and genitals, and to let Rahim take photos, the victim agreed.

Rahim gave him cash and a cigarette after taking the photos.

After that, the victim started occasionally requesting for cigarettes and cash from Rahim, who would provide them in exchange for sexual activities.

On at least two other occasions in 2020, the victim suggested going to a handicap toilet at a community centre, where Rahim would then perform sex acts on the victim.

Rahim bought a pack of cigarettes for the victim afterwards, and also gave him some cash after one of these instances.

The amount of cash provided was not stated in court documents except for one occasion in 2023, when Rahim gave S$50 to the victim.

Arrest

Rahim was arrested on Jan. 4, 2024, after the victim's niece lodged a police report, saying that she suspected Rahim of procuring sexual services from young boys in exchange for cigarettes.

He has been in remand since his arrest.

Sentencing

The prosecutors sought a sentence of 14 to 17 years in prison, and an additional five to six months in lieu of caning.

They described Rahim's offences as "abhorrent and repeated" over a prolonged period of close to three years.

In court, Rahim's lawyer asked for a jail term of not more than 11 years, ST reported.

He highlighted a list of medical conditions Rahim suffered, including heart failure, diabetes, and peripheral arterial disease — the last of which had cost him both legs.