SINGAPORE - A man was hauled to a district court on Thursday (Sept 16) after he allegedly tried but failed to bribe a policeman. Chinese national Xu Shoupei, 29, who faces two graft charges, is accused of offering a bribe of $76 to Special Constable Ong Shu Hong on two occasions on July 4. The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said in a statement that the policeman rejected the offers. The matter was then referred to the CPIB. According to court documents, Xu allegedly offered a bribe as he did not want the officer to conduct an identity check on him. On another occasion, Xu is accused of offering the policeman $76 as he wanted the latter to release him from custody. Court documents did not disclose why the authorities conducted a check on Xu's identity. The accused's bail was set at $7,000 and his case has been adjourned to Oct 13. If convicted, he can be jailed for up to five years and fined up to $100,000 for each graft charge. More on this topic Related Story Construction worker jailed for assaulting public servant and offering $12 bribe Related Story Courts & Crime: Read more stories
SINGAPORE - An elderly doctor appeared in a district court on Thursday (Aug 26) after he allegedly molested a female patient at a clinic where he worked. Chua Kee Loi, 70, is accused of committing the offence on Aug 5 last year. He faces one charge of molestation. He was at the Chua Clinic and Surgery in Yishun Avenue 3 around 7.30pm that day when he allegedly touched the woman's right cheek and breast over her clothing with his left hand. She cannot be named, because of a gag order. The Singaporean doctor's bail was set at $10,000 on Thursday and his case has been adjourned to Sept 23. Anyone convicted of molestation can be jailed for up to two years and fined or caned. Chua cannot be caned as he is over 50 years old. More on this topic Related Story Charges withdrawn for S'pore doctor accused of molestation after 'victim' admitted to lying Related Story Courts & Crime: Read more stories
SINGAPORE - A former director at an automation firm was jailed for two weeks on Thursday (July 22) for assaulting a private-hire car driver while intoxicated. American Andrew McKee Bowles, 50, previously a managing director at Automation Anywhere, pleaded guilty to voluntarily causing hurt to Mr Ng Chee Siang. Just hours before the incident on Aug 16 last year, Bowles attended a social gathering at Robertson Quay at around 2.30pm and he consumed alcoholic beverages. One of his friends noticed that he was intoxicated at around 7pm. The friend then booked a private hire vehicle to take Bowles home at Orange Grove Residences in Orange Grove Road. Mr Ng arrived soon after in his car, the court heard. The 41-year-old Singaporean noticed that Bowles' gait was unsteady and he was reeking of alcohol. The American slipped into the rear passenger seat and nodded off. The two men did not communicate or interact with each other throughout the journey. Bowles was still asleep when Mr Ng arrived at the drop-off point at Orange Grove Residences at around 7.30pm. Deputy Public Prosecutor Kenny Yang said: "The vehicle's automated rear sliding door opened and this roused the accused from his sleep. The accused mumbled incoherently and refused to get off the vehicle." Mr Ng then flashed the headlights of his car at the property's security officer to seek his assistance. The officer approached the car and recognised Bowles as one of the residents there. The DPP added: "At this juncture, the accused suddenly leaned forward to the driver's seat and hit the victim's face with his elbow. The victim alighted from his vehicle and the accused followed suit. "The accused then chased the victim around the vehicle and hurled vulgarities." Bowles tried to punch Mr Ng but missed and fell onto a grass patch. The security officer alerted the police and Bowles was then taken home by his wife. More on this topic Related Story Company CEO jailed 2 weeks for assaulting taxi driver Related Story Briton filmed not wearing mask on MRT train charged with offences including harassment Mr Ng went to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and was found with tenderness to his jaw. The court heard that Bowles has since made more than $200 in restitution to him. Defence lawyers Rakesh Vasu and Farhan Tyebally pleaded for Bowles to be given a fine, stressing that he is very remorseful. The lawyers from Gomez & Vasu said: "Upon hearing from his wife of the events which occurred, Andrew was in deep shock because the actions displayed whilst he was in such an inebriated state were absolutely out of character." They added that Bowles immediately went to a police station and gave his statement to an investigation officer. For voluntarily causing hurt, an offender can be jailed for up to three years and fined up to $5,000. More on this topic Related Story Jail for New Zealander who broke cabby's nose in a drunken rage Related Story Cyclist fined for punching lorry driver in road rage incident along Jalan Eunos
SINGAPORE - Feeling upset over personal issues, a maid decided to vent her unhappiness on a one-year-old baby boy under her care by abusing him with acts such as stepping on his leg and pushing his head until he fell. Indonesian Suliana Kasim Dapok, 42, was sentenced on Monday (April 5) to nine months' jail after pleading guilty to two counts of ill-treating the child. The baby cannot be named due to a gag order to protect his identity and details about his home have been redacted from court documents. The court heard that Suliana started working for his family in October 2018. Her duties included taking care of her employer's four children. The baby was at home at around 11.15am on May 8 last year when he vomited on a carpet in the living room. Deputy Public Prosecutor Ben Mathias Tan said: "The accused was in the process of cleaning the carpet with detergent when the victim walked towards the accused. "As the accused did not want the victim to come into contact with the detergent, the accused elbowed the victim in his face, causing the victim to fall to the floor and cry." Suliana was walking towards the kitchen after wiping the carpet when she thought that the baby would grab her leg. To prevent him from doing so, and out of frustration from having to clean the vomitus, she stepped on his right knee, causing him to cry even louder. Suliana continued to abuse the child in the living room about 20 minutes later, the court heard. The DPP said: "The accused was sitting on the sofa folding the laundry. The accused motioned for the victim to come over, which the victim did. "The accused then pushed the victim's head, causing him to fall to the floor. The accused thereafter grabbed the victim's leg to pull him towards her, and checked the victim's diapers." While getting up from the sofa to put away the clothes, Suliana stepped on the baby's right leg, causing him to cry. A closed-circuit television camera inside the flat caught her committing the acts of abuse and his mother alerted the police at 1.12pm that day. The baby was taken to KK Women's and Children's Hospital about an hour later and he was found with bruising along his spine. For each count of ill-treating a child, an offender can be jailed for up to eight years and fined up to $8,000. More on this topic Related Story Jail for maid who dipped baby's hand in hot water Related Story Jail for maid whose negligence caused a toothbrush to be stuck in boy's throat
SINGAPORE - The 21-year-old who skipped a court appearance on Monday (March 22) where he was supposed to enter his plea over sexual assault charges has been arrested. Police said he was picked up on Tuesday, the same day they detained another 21-year-old man for allegedly harbouring him. The fugitive is one of two men accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl when she became drunk after a game of Truth Or Dare. His co-accused has already pleaded guilty to raping the girl. The man faces one count of attempted rape and two counts of sexual assault by penetration. The parties in the case cannot be named because of a gag order to protect the victim's identity. The accused was 18 years old when he allegedly committed the offences on Oct 17, 2017, at the foot of a Housing Board block in Pasir Ris Street 51. The court heard that the accused had gone missing on Monday after having breakfast with his father and lawyer. The court hearing was scheduled for 10am. At around 9.10am, he complained of an upset stomach and left for the toilet. He then could not be found, and also did not respond to phone calls and text messages. A warrant of arrest was issued by the High Court the same day. It has not been determined if the $30,000 bail his father posted for him will be forfeited. The police on Wednesday said they are investigating the accused for additional offences. His associate will be charged in court with harbouring an offender. More on this topic Related Story Jail, caning for man who force-fed vodka to 13-year-old and raped her in park Related Story Man accused of attempted rape of 15-year-old fails to show up in court The accused allegedly committed the offences when the girl became increasingly intoxicated as she played Truth Or Dare at the void deck with a group of friends. When the group left the block, the girl had to be piggybacked, as she was too drunk to walk properly. At about 4am, the two accused and the girl were separated from the others who had gone ahead. While she rested on the ground, the two men tried to rouse her, and when she did not respond, they allegedly sexually violated her. More on this topic Related Story Courts & Crime: Read more stories
SINGAPORE - A woman who physically abused two maids in separate incidents was sentenced on Thursday (Feb 4) to five weeks' jail. Elizabeth Poh Chiew Lian was ordered to pay one of them, Ms Munawaroh, $1,200 as compensation. District Judge Brenda Tan also told Poh to give the other maid, Ms Moe Moe San, $1,780. Poh will spend an additional seven days behind bars if she is unable to pay the amounts. The 67-year-old Singaporean had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of causing hurt to Ms Munawaroh, who goes by only one name, and an assault charge involving Ms Moe Moe San. Four other charges involving both maids were considered during sentencing. The court heard that Poh had employed four different domestic helpers in the three years up to 2018. Ms Munawaroh, 40, started working for her on June 2, 2018. Just 13 days later, Poh pinched her on the right upper arm for "failing to perform her duties properly". Poh was unhappy with the maid's "work attitude" on July 8 that year and pinched her on the right wrist. On other occasions, the court heard that Poh also hit Ms Munawaroh's back with a shoe, poured water over her head and berated the woman by calling her "idiot" and "stupid". Unable to tolerate any more abuse, Ms Munawaroh left Poh's Pasir Ris flat on July 22, 2018, and contacted the police. Poh later hired Ms Moe Moe San, 39. The Myanmar national started working for the household on March 1, 2019. Deputy Public Prosecutor Kwang Jia Min said: "(A week later), the accused was angry at Moe for not knowing how to switch on and off the gas stove, despite the accused teaching her how to do so multiple times. "Immediately after this gas stove incident, Moe was washing clothes in the toilet near the kitchen when the accused entered the toilet and got angry at the way Moe was washing the clothes." More on this topic Related Story Woman accused of abusing two maids allegedly pinched one of her victims while unhappy with massage Related Story Over 10 months' jail for woman whose maid climbed down 15 storeys to escape abuse Poh then hit the maid on the left upper arm and brushed her aside. Ms Moe Moe San, who suffered a bruise as a result, phoned her brother to tell him what happened and the police were alerted. Poh is now out on bail of $5,000 and will surrender herself at the State Courts on March 1 to begin serving her jail term. For each count of maid abuse, an offender can be jailed for up to three years and fined up to $7,500. More on this topic Related Story Man found guilty of abusing maid by splashing hot water on her, among other acts Related Story Courts & Crime: Read more stories
SINGAPORE - A youth who left a policeman with a spinal cord injury and superficial bite wounds was on Tuesday (Jan 5) sentenced to two years' probation. As part of his probation, the 17-year-old drug offender has to remain indoors from 10pm to 6am every day and perform 80 hours of community service. He also has to undergo regular urine tests. The teenager cannot be named as those under 18 are covered under the Children and Young Persons Act. The offender had pleaded guilty in a district court on Nov 19 last year to one count each of causing grievous hurt to a public servant and methamphetamine consumption. The victim - a full-time national serviceman (NSF) - and his colleague were conducting foot patrol at Block 90 Redhill Close at around 2pm on Aug 5 last year when they entered a lift on the seventh storey, which was occupied by the offender and his cousin. Deputy Public Prosecutor Tan Hsiao Tien had disclosed in earlier proceedings that the officers decided to search the occupants when they noticed the two appeared nervous and had bloodshot eyes. A small brown box the cousin was holding was found to contain drug-taking utensils. When they arrived at the ground floor of the block, the victim's colleague searched the offender's cousin. It was at this point that the offender put up a violent struggle. DPP Tan told the court: "The victim, who was standing beside the accused, managed to grab the accused from the back and pinned him down on the floor. "A struggle ensued... The victim instructed the accused to stop struggling, but he did not comply and again attempted to run away. "The victim managed to pull the accused back down. During the struggle, the accused managed to slip one of his hands out from the handcuff. "The accused also bit the victim on his left arm and left chest in an attempt to escape custody." Police back-up arrived soon after and the attacker was arrested. The offender was referred to the Central Narcotics Bureau and his urine samples were found to contain traces of methamphetamine, commonly known as Ice. More on this topic Related Story Teen attacked boy with chopper, threatened to slash policewoman's head with parang Related Story Maserati driver convicted of causing grievous hurt to policeman: Other cops injured in the line of duty Investigations revealed that he had consumed the drug on Aug 4 last year. The incident left the victim with numbness on the left side of his body. The upper and lower limbs on the left side of his body had also weakened. He was given 30 days of hospitalisation leave and has since fully recovered. Details about the offender's cousin and the outcome of his case were not disclosed in court documents. For causing grievous hurt to a public servant, an offender can be jailed for up to 15 years and fined or caned. More on this topic Related Story Man arrested for assaulting enforcement officers attached to NEA with sickle Related Story Courts & Crime: Read more stories
SINGAPORE - Family members of a 14-year-old boy accused of murdering his father have engaged a team of lawyers to represent the teenager. They are Mr Shashi Nathan, Mr Jeremy Pereira and Ms J. Jayaletchmi from law firm Withers KhattarWong. Separately, Mr Nathan is also one of the lawyers representing Ahmad Danial Mohamed Rafa'ee, now 35 who is accused of murdering Ms Felicia Teo Wei Ling, 19, in 2007. The 14-year-old boy's case was mentioned at the Youth Courts on Thursday (Dec 31). Mr Nathan told The Straits Times that the teenager will be remanded at a boys' home and his case has been adjourned to Jan 6 next year. Details about the boy and his family cannot be revealed as those under 18 are covered under the Children and Young Persons Act. The Singaporean boy is accused of murdering his 49-year-old father in a unit at the Edelweiss Park condominium in Flora Road near Loyang Avenue at around 10am in Dec 11. In an earlier statement, police said: "Upon arrival, officers found the man injured and lying motionless at the said location." The man was taken unconscious to Changi General Hospital where he later died. The boy was then arrested at the scene. Those found guilty of murder could receive the death penalty. However, those aged below 18 years would not get the death sentence but could be given life imprisonment instead. More on this topic Related Story 14-year-old charged with murdering his father in Loyang condo Related Story Courts & Crime: Read more stories
SINGAPORE - A man accused of Ms Felicia Teo Wei Ling's murder in 2007 will be further remanded with his case adjourned to Jan 7 next year. A district court heard on Thursday (Dec 31) that Ahmad Danial Mohamed Rafa'ee, now 35, had been in Changi Prison Complex Medical Centre but details of his health condition were not mentioned in court. He is represented by Mr Shashi Nathan, Ms Tania Chin and Ms Laura Yeo from law firm Withers KhattarWong. Mr Nathan told the court that he is making arrangements to meet his client at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Ahmad is accused of murdering Ms Teo, 19, at a Marine Terrace flat on June 30, 2007. The Singaporean is said to have committed the offence with another man - Ragil Putra Setia Sukmarahjana, now 32. The two men are believed to be friends of Ms Teo. There has been no update on the whereabouts of her remains and investigations surrounding Ragil, who is said to be overseas. Ms Teo's disappearance made headlines when her family and friends appealed for help. They refused to believe the teenager had run away. The last time they saw her was on June 29, 2007, when she left her home in Bras Basah. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage later showed her entering a lift in a Marine Terrace housing block with two men, and she was never seen or heard from again. When she did not return, her mother lodged a missing persons police report on July 3. Officers began investigating and they initially classified Ms Teo's disappearance as a missing persons case. This was because they did not find any facts linking the two men to her disappearance. The men had earlier told officers that Ms Teo left the flat on her own accord. More on this topic Related Story Lawyers engaged to represent man accused of Felicia Teo's murder, best friend shares touching Facebook post Related Story Man charged with murder of S'porean teen Felicia Teo: 4 other missing persons cases Her friends and family then conducted their own search and more than 200 people got involved. Meanwhile, the police continued regularly reviewing the case. They got a break when the case was referred to the CID in July and officers uncovered new leads. They arrested Ahmad on Dec 15 and he was charged with murder in a district court two days later. Offenders convicted of murder will face the death sentence.
SINGAPORE - A 20-year-old man was sentenced on Thursday (Oct 15) to 12 months at a Reformative Training Centre (RTC) for sexually assaulting his female cousin on multiple occasions between 2016 and 2019. He first molested his cousin in an apartment unit when she was 10 and he was 15. He continued to molest her on multiple occasions throughout the years, the last time being in May last year, when the man was 19 and the victim was 13. The man cannot be named due to a gag order to protect the victim's identity. The court heard that on multiple occasions, he would lock himself in a bedroom with the victim and instruct her to lie down on a mattress. He would then remove her shorts and underwear and proceed to rub his exposed genitals against her lower body and buttocks. The first time he assaulted his cousin, he was paired with her during a game of "hide-and-seek", during which he isolated her from the others they were playing with. He then locked her in a bedroom and proceeded to molest her. Most pertinently, in May last year, the accused dragged the victim - then 13 - out of the shower she was in. Despite the victim's efforts to rebuff his advances, he made her lie down on a bed and he proceeded to rub his exposed genitals against hers for around two minutes. Deputy Public Prosecutor Kor Zhen Hong noted that the accused and the victim's families shared a "close relationship", and that the victim did not confide in anyone as she was "afraid of spoiling the relationship between their families". DPP Kor added that the victim did not put up a struggle, as she respected him and "did not wish to upset him". This pattern of sexual abuse finally came to light in late May last year, when the victim's elder brother noticed that the accused and the victim were frequently spending time together in a locked bedroom. More on this topic Related Story Paedophile, 22, gets jail, caning for molesting sister when she was 5 and raping her at age 12 Related Story Man gets 14 months' jail and 2 strokes of the cane for molesting teenage stepdaughter Related Story Bus driver admits to molesting stepdaughter multiple times over more than 20 years He conveyed his concerns to their mother, who questioned the victim. The girl then revealed that she had been a victim of her cousin's sexual advances since 2016. A police report was finally lodged on May 30, 2019 at the Hougang Neighbourhood Police Centre, where the victim told officers that she had been "sexually assaulted". DPP Kor asked that the man be sentenced to time in an RTC, rather than given probation, as the offences had been committed over an extended period of four years. "The age gap between the accused and the victim was quite significant, and we recommend that a structured environment such as the RTC would reduce his risk of re-offending," DPP Kor said. The man was sentenced based on three proceeded charges of outrage of modesty. The first one took place between May and June 2016, the second between November and December 2018, and the third one occurred in May 2019. Four other charges of outrage of modesty were taken into consideration in the man's sentencing. More on this topic Related Story Courts & Crime: Read more stories District Judge May Mesenas told the man prior to his sentencing that she hoped the victim would be able to "overcome and deal with what you have done to her". "I hope that after your time in RTC you will make sure that this does not happen to anyone else," Judge Mesenas said. Judge Mesenas also called on the Ministry of Social and Family Development to locate and contact the victim to follow-up with the necessary counselling. The court heard that the victim now lives with her mother - who has since remarried - and that there has been no contact between her and her cousin since the police report was made. "I would like to ask for the MSF to reach out to the victim so that the after-effects and consequences of what has occurred do not stay with her and manifest in other consequences for her down the road," Judge Mesenas said.