A former National University of Singapore (NUS) lecturer, Dr Jeremy Fernando, has been acquitted of a molestation charge by a court on Monday (Jan 29).
The charge against Dr Fernando, who was dismissed by NUS in October 2020 following allegations of sexual misconduct, was withdrawn. He had been accused of using criminal force on a female victim by kissing her on the lips in July 2020.
In a statement through his lawyers, Dr Fernando expressed his gratitude for the support he received from his family and friends during the past few years. He also thanked his legal team for helping him achieve the outcome he desired.
The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) spokesperson confirmed that the prosecution agreed to compound the matter at Dr Fernando’s request.
This was after reviewing “the facts and circumstances of the case, as well as with the victim’s agreement”, the spokesperson said according the report.
Compounding is possible under Singaporean law, where certain offences can be settled if the accused pays an undisclosed sum to the alleged victim.
Following the payment, the court granted Dr Fernando a discharge amounting to an acquittal, ensuring that he cannot be charged again for the same offence.
NUS declined to comment on the acquittal, but in a previous statement, the university had stated that Dr Fernando was dismissed after an internal investigation found him to have acted “inappropriately” as a member of the teaching staff, falling short of the university’s expectations of professionalism.
Had Dr Fernando been convicted of molestation, he could have faced up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, caning, or any combination of these penalties.
THE CASE :
Singaporean Jeremy Fernando, 43, was facing charges of molestation after allegedly kissing a female victim on her lips without consent. Court documents revealed that Fernando used criminal force to intentionally outrage the victim’s modesty. The identity of the victim and the location of the incident remain undisclosed due to a court order.
Previously employed as a lecturer at Tembusu College, Fernando was dismissed from his position in October 2020. The National University of Singapore (NUS) had lodged a police report against him for behaving inappropriately as a teaching staff member and not meeting the university’s standards of professionalism. Fernando’s next court hearing was scheduled for April 21.
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