Man Sentenced to 15 Weeks’ Jail for Assaulting Ex-Girlfriend

A 37-year-old man was sentenced to 15 weeks in prison for multiple assaults on his ex-girlfriend, following a tumultuous relationship that began in early 2022. The court found him guilty of three counts of voluntarily causing hurt and one count of theft related to incidents that occurred over several months. His actions included repeatedly waiting for the victim, identified only as Ms V, outside her residence and physically assaulting her in various locations.

The relationship began when Ms V accepted a ride from the man, whom she met through a Telegram chat group. Initially, they met a few times and entered a romantic relationship. However, Ms V soon discovered that the man was undergoing a divorce, had children, and was involved with another woman. In April 2022, she attempted to end the relationship, prompting the man to begin harassing her.

Ms V testified that the man incessantly called her from different numbers, even camping outside her block of flats to confront her as she left for work or appointments. He would often snatch her belongings, including her phones, which led to violent disputes between them. The situation escalated to the point where Ms V sought a personal protection order against him in 2023.

Details of the Assaults

On July 22, 2022, Ms V was preparing for an early morning meeting when she noticed the man’s car parked below her apartment. Taking precautions, she used a less frequented lift to avoid him, but he spotted her and chased her down the street. He forcibly took her bag, and out of fear, she entered his car. During the ride, he verbally degraded her and physically assaulted her, leaving her with visible injuries.

The man drove to Raffles Marina in Tuas, where he refused to return her phone, claiming he had “a lot of time to waste.” After managing to escape and seeking help from a security guard, the police were called to the scene.

In his defense during the trial, the man claimed he acted out of self-defense, stating Ms V had attacked him first. However, the judge sided with Ms V, finding her testimony credible and supported by closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage.

Another significant incident occurred on November 23, 2022, when the man offered to buy Ms V a new phone after he had damaged her old ones. They went for drinks, and when Ms V declined his advances for sex, he confiscated her new S$1,300 phone and forcibly dragged her to a hotel instead. CCTV footage captured him physically pulling her by her wrist and assaulting her, leading to injuries that required medical attention.

Legal Outcomes and Appeal

The judge described the evidence presented by the prosecution as overwhelming, with a consistent account from Ms V corroborated by CCTV footage. She dismissed the man’s claims about his drink being spiked and his assertions that the surveillance footage had been tampered with.

The man also faced a theft charge related to an incident at a nightclub where he snatched Ms V’s phone after she refused to leave with him. He argued that the phone was a company asset, but the court did not accept this defense.

Judge Cheng Yuxi remarked on the man’s inconsistent claims and ultimately sentenced him to 15 weeks’ incarceration. He has been released on bail pending an appeal.

Victims of domestic violence are encouraged to seek help and report incidents to the authorities, with support available through various organizations. The case underscores the importance of addressing such issues and protecting individuals from ongoing harassment and harm.