A 37-year-old man was sentenced to 12 months in jail and two strokes of the cane after he repeatedly molested his mother-in-law, who had moved into his home to help care for his newborn child. The man, whose identity has been withheld to protect the victim, pleaded guilty to one count of outrage of modesty, one count of voyeurism, and two counts of making insulting gestures. Five other charges were considered during his sentencing on October 17, 2023.
According to TheStar, the disturbing case unfolded when the 51-year-old woman, who had moved into her daughter and son-in-law's home in August 2023, began noticing strange behavior. She was there to assist the couple with the care of their newborn and slept in the living room during her stay, which lasted around four months.
According to Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Claire Poh, the woman trusted her son-in-law, believing he would respect her as a family member. However, between November and December 2023, the man betrayed that trust, molesting her on several occasions while she was asleep.
The man's actions were first uncovered on December 6, 2023, when the victim woke to the sensation of someone near her. She saw the man walking away, which prompted her to check the CCTV footage in the house. Horrified, she discovered the extent of his violations.
DPP Poh detailed how the man first violated the woman on November 6, 2023, by taking photos of her while she slept on a mattress in the living room. He also filmed himself molesting her. On November 23, 2023, he attempted to take more photos but failed. Finally, on December 6, 2023, the man once again took photographs and molested her, which led to the victim's discovery of his abuse.
Shocked and devastated, the victim confided in her daughter, who confronted her husband and immediately forced him to leave their home. Following the confrontation, the victim lodged a police report. The couple has since divorced.
DPP Poh highlighted the lasting impact the abuse had on the victim. She described how the victim's sleep was disturbed, her self-esteem shattered, and her anxiety heightened. The trauma is compounded by reminders of the offender whenever her granddaughter, the man's daughter, brings up memories of him.
"The victim feels very disgusted about what the accused had done," said DPP Poh.
In court, the man's lawyer, R. Arvindren, stated that his client expressed deep remorse and accepted full responsibility for his actions. "He deserves to be punished for what he has done, and he makes no attempt to blame the victim or anybody else," the lawyer said.
However, District Judge Kenneth Chin emphasized the severity of the crime, noting that the man had abused his close relationship with the victim, a factor that warranted a harsher sentence. The judge explained that the law imposes enhanced penalties for offences committed against victim's in close relationships, especially when they are in vulnerable states like sleep.
"You have committed unacceptable criminal offences, and you must now face the consequences," Judge Chin stated, addressing the man, who silently acknowledged his guilt.
The man was sentenced to 12 months in jail and two strokes of the cane. His actions serve as a stark reminder of the legal consequences of betraying the trust of those closest to us.
Source: TheStar
