A 38-year-old former primary school teacher has been convicted of molesting a female student on three occasions, following a relationship that began innocently but ultimately became inappropriate.
The incidents occurred between 2016 and 2018 when the victim was between the ages of 10 and 13, according to ST.
The convicted teacher, whose name and the identity of the school cannot be disclosed due to a gag order aimed at protecting the victim’s identity, served as the girl’s form teacher during Primary 4 and 5.
Their relationship began to develop when the student confided in him about her family issues, leading him to use affectionate terms such as “baby” and “godpa” in their communications.
The prosecution revealed that the teacher created a WhatsApp group for his class and engaged in private messaging with the victim, providing academic assistance and emotional support.
In their private WhatsApp conversations, which continued until June 2020 after she graduated from primary school, he referred to the girl using affectionate terms such as “baby” and “bao bei.”
During the trial, the man stated that “bao bei” translates to “precious,” explaining, “Just like a treasured daughter.”
Documents presented in court included testimony that the teacher expressed sentiments of affection towards the girl, using phrases like “love you” and discussing personal topics, including her menstrual cycles.
The first incident of molestation occurred in the school in 2016, when the teacher slapped the victim’s buttocks after school hours. The girl described her shock and sense of violation upon this act.
According to ST, “The victim testified that the accused ‘suddenly slapped my butt’. The slap was quick and lasted seconds.
“She turned to look at the accused, and he looked at her immediately and said, ‘Sorry, is it your chest?’. The victim replied that it was not. She felt surprised and violated.”
Subsequent episodes of inappropriate behavior included hugs that left her feeling frozen and confused, as well as an incident in December 2018, during which he molested her while watching a movie.
The abuse came to light on June 8, 2020, when the victim confided in another teacher about the incidents. The following day, she reported the matter to the police, leading to the teacher’s arrest later that evening.
Investigations revealed that he had been suspended from his teaching duties since June 2020. During the trial, the victim recounted the emotional and psychological toll the abuse took on her, including a diagnosis of major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder in 2021.
In his defense, the accused’s lawyer argued that the offences did not occur.
However, on September 25, the teacher was found guilty on all three charges of molestation.
A mitigation and sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 23.
Image via gogle illustration
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