Two Men Sentenced to Prison for Sexual Assault in Singapore

Two men were sentenced to prison on September 24, 2023, for the sexual assault of an intoxicated woman in a hotel room in Singapore. The men, both foreign nationals and long-time friends, were found guilty of multiple charges, including molestation and rape, after a trial at the High Court.

The first man, aged 50, who was the victim’s ex-colleague, received a sentence of 13 years and 10 months. This included six months in lieu of 11 strokes of the cane, which he would have faced if he had been under 50. The second man, aged 51, was sentenced to 18 years in prison. His sentence included one year in lieu of 24 strokes of the cane, which he avoided due to his age.

Justice Hoo Sheau Peng condemned the actions of the men, stating that it was “appalling” that they exploited the victim’s vulnerable state. The judge ordered the offenders to compensate the victim for medical expenses, including psychotherapy. Due to a court-issued gag order, the men’s identities and other identifying details remain undisclosed.

Both men, dressed in suits, displayed no emotion as their sentences were read. They have expressed intentions to appeal their convictions and were offered bail set at S$100,000 (approximately US$77,900) for the ex-colleague and S$150,000 for the older man.

Details of the Assault

The assault occurred on February 26, 2023, when the victim agreed to meet her ex-colleague at a hotel room. She initially intended to drop off sparkling water he had requested and viewed the meeting as a networking opportunity. Upon arrival, she was offered alcohol, which led to excessive drinking during the conversation.

The victim testified that the discussion turned sexual, making her uncomfortable. Despite her discomfort, she did not leave, believing it would be impolite. She eventually became incapacitated, drifting in and out of consciousness after vomiting and losing control of her faculties.

Upon waking the next morning, she discovered blood on her underwear and suspected she had been raped. Following her hospital visit, medical staff reported the incident to the police, leading to the men’s arrest that same day. While they admitted that sexual acts occurred, they argued that the victim had consented, a claim the judge dismissed.

Judicial Findings and Sentencing

Justice Hoo found the victim to be a credible witness, noting her clear and coherent testimony. The judge contrasted her account with the men’s narratives, which she deemed “incredible” and “simply beyond belief.” The ex-colleague had conducted online searches for terms related to sexual activity and DNA evidence shortly after the assault, which the judge interpreted as indicative of their guilt.

The older man was also found to have taken a photo of the victim while she was naked without her consent. Additionally, both men conspired to obstruct justice by deleting incriminating messages from their communications.

Justice Hoo emphasized that the group nature of the assault exacerbated the victim’s trauma, stating that the sense of helplessness increases significantly when multiple individuals are involved in such acts. This factor, along with the victim’s intoxication, played a crucial role in the sentencing decision.

As the legal proceedings continue, the case highlights the issues surrounding consent and the responsibilities of individuals to protect vulnerable persons in social situations.