A 67-year-old Singaporean man has been sentenced to 19-and-a-half years in Jail for raping his daughter’s maid while the family was away on vacation.
The sentencing took place on January 24, 2024, and the man, who cannot be named due to a gag order, has indicated his intention to appeal against both his conviction and sentence. He has been granted a stay of execution on his imprisonment.
Following a trial that concluded in November 2023, the man was found guilty of two charges of rape and two charges of outrage of modesty. The prosecution presented evidence indicating that the man sexually assaulted the maid on the night of January 5, 2020, while the rest of his family was overseas.
DETAILS OF THE CASE
According to Channel News Asia, the accused invited the maid to watch television with him and offered her wine. He also administered “supplement injections” to her while she was on the sofa in the living room, which left her feeling giddy and weak, ultimately rendering her unable to resist his advances. After the assault, he carried her to her bedroom and placed her on the bed.
The maid, who did not consent to the sexual acts, woke up around 4 a.m. the following morning and called her sister in a distressed state. Upon her employer’s return on January 8, 2020, she reported the incident, leading to a police report the next day.
The prosecution’s case was bolstered by closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from the living room, which corroborated the victim’s testimony alongside the man’s own admissions.
In November 2024, Justice Mavis Chionh convicted the man on four charges after determining that the evidence strongly supported the victim’s account. He was acquitted of a fifth charge of sexual assault by penetration due to insufficient evidence, the CNA report added.
During the trial, the man defended himself without legal representation, and Justice Chionh inquired whether he had used ChatGPT to draft his submissions. When he confirmed that he had, she noted that it was not an appropriate legal research tool, to which he acknowledged, “Thank you, Your Honour. I stand educated.”
He later stated his intention to hire a lawyer for his appeal.
In her sentencing remarks, Justice Chionh emphasized that the offender “brazenly exploited” the victim’s vulnerability, knowing she was physically unable to fend off his advances. She noted signs of premeditation, including offering the maid wine and adjusting the CCTV camera in her bedroom to ensure the bed was out of view.
Justice Chionh pointed out that the offences occurred during a time when the maid was particularly vulnerable, being left alone with her employer’s father for eight days. During the trial, the man claimed that the victim had seduced him and was plotting to frame him, alleging that she sought monetary compensation due to her animosity towards her employer.
The judge found no evidence to support these claims.
While the prosecution argued that the man’s lack of remorse should be considered an aggravating factor, Justice Chionh disagreed, stating that he was entitled to raise these matters during his defense.
PREVOUS COURT SESSION
During a court session in July 2024, the prosecution outlined its case against the accused, emphasizing that they would present compelling evidence from the victim herself regarding the circumstances of the alleged offences.
The prosecution had informed the court they will introduce testimonies from the victim’s sister, along with closed-circuit television footage from the living room, which purportedly captures the assault in question. They underscored the significance of the CCTV footage, asserting it would demonstrate that the accused engaged in sexual acts with the victim while she was in a weakened and unresponsive state, thus indicating a lack of consent.
Furthermore, prosecutors pointed out that the accused had deliberately manipulated the camera in the victim’s bedroom to avoid capturing incriminating evidence.
In addition to the victim’s evidence, the prosecution intends to call medical professionals from Changi General Hospital to testify regarding the accused’s erectile dysfunction. This testimony aims to establish that, despite his condition, it was still possible for him to have committed the alleged acts of rape. The trial was held in camera, meaning it was closed to the public and media, to protect the victim’s privacy as she prepared to take the stand and share her account of the events.
NO CANING
As the offender is over 50 years old, he is not subject to caning, and the prosecution did not seek additional prison time in lieu of corporal punishment. Justice Chionh asserted that the lengthy sentence imposed would still serve as a strong deterrent.
Following the reading of the sentence, the man kept his eyes closed and remains out on bail of S$80,000, which has been posted by two of his daughters.
For the charges of rape, the man faced a possible maximum sentence of 20 years
Image via google for illustration
- 67-Year-Old Man Sentenced to 19.5 Years In Jail for Raping Daughter’s Maid
- Ex-TV Star In S’pore Charged For Sexual Acts with 15-Year-Old Girl at Home, Hotel, and Hospital
- 71-Year-Old Man Sentenced to Over Six Years in Prison for Sexual Assault Disguised as “Black Magic” Healing
- Teen Sentenced to Over Two Years in Prison for Fatal Motorcycle Chase Involving LTA Officer
- Teenager Pleads Guilty to Attempted Robbery After Being Lured by Online Job Offer
- 67-Year-Old Man Sentenced to 19.5 Years In Jail for Raping Daughter’s Maid
- Ex-TV Star In S’pore Charged For Sexual Acts with 15-Year-Old Girl at Home, Hotel, and Hospital
- 71-Year-Old Man Sentenced to Over Six Years in Prison for Sexual Assault Disguised as “Black Magic” Healing
- Teen Sentenced to Over Two Years in Prison for Fatal Motorcycle Chase Involving LTA Officer
- Teenager Pleads Guilty to Attempted Robbery After Being Lured by Online Job Offer
