SINGAPORE: Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam has detailed the timeline for the case of the 14-year-old boy who was found dead after he was questioned by police on a case of outrage of modesty last month.
In his ministerial statement in Parliament on Tuesday (Mar 1), Mr Shanmugam revealed what happened on the two days leading up to Benjamin Lim's death, based on CCTV footage and investigations.
JAN 25
Based on CCTV footage, a boy in school uniform appeared to be following an 11-year-old girl to a block he did not stay in. He was then seen "quickly" entering the lift after the girl.
Footage recorded from within the lift showed the molestation taking place.
The boy, later identified as Benjamin, then got out on the 13th floor. The girl got out to confront him, and a "brief exchange" took place, but the boy took the stairs to the 12th floor, and she did not follow him down. He then got into the lift at the 12th floor, and took it to the ground floor.
The girl then told her father about the incident, and the family filed a police report on the same day. The girl told the police that a boy who she had never met before had touched a part of her body.
Police then retrieved some CCTV footage. Based on Benjamin's school uniform, he was identified to be from North View Secondary School.
JAN 26
The next day, five police officers went to North View Secondary School - three from the Neighbourhood Police Centre and two from the Division. All five were in plainclothes - not in uniform nor in clothes with the word "Police" on it, and the cars they arrived in were unmarked, according to the Home Affairs Minister.
School officials identified Benjamin based on a screenshot of the CCTV footage, and he was then brought to the Principal's office.
In the office, one police officer spoke with Benjamin, and the other police officers were not present. Some of the school's educators were also present.
After the interview, Benjamin was advised by the Principal to call his mother, which he did. The police officer also spoke with the mother then, and told her that Benjamin would be brought to Ang Mo Kio Police Division to give his statement.
Benjamin was brought to the station in the unmarked car by three officers, one of whom alighted along the way, leaving Benjamin with one officer looking after him and one driving.
At the station, Benjamin requested to be given time to collect his thoughts about the incident.
JAN 26, 12.15PM
Benjamin's written statement was taken by a single officer at a workstation. The workstation was in a "typical open office", and another officer was "nearby" doing his own work. Benjamin was not handcuffed and was said to be cooperative throughout.
A photo of the cubicle where the statement was taken. (Photo: Ministry of Home Affairs)
Benjamin admitted to police that he had "intentionally" touched a part of the girl's body.
After the interview, he was placed alone in a secured Temporary Holding Room, and was offered food and drink, which he declined.
Benjamin's mother then arrived at the station, and a statement was recorded from her. Benjamin was then released on bail and he left the station with his mother and sister - that was the last contact between him and police. He had spent about 3.5 hours in the station, including the time police spent with his mother.
Based on investigations, Benjamin went home with his mother, had lunch, then played games on his phone.
A school counsellor then called Benjamin's mother, after which she told Benjamin that he would not be going to the school camp the next day.
JAN 26, ABOUT 4.20PM
Benjamin was found dead at the foot of his block.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/the-benjamin-lim-case/2559674.html?cid=TWTCNA
In his ministerial statement in Parliament on Tuesday (Mar 1), Mr Shanmugam revealed what happened on the two days leading up to Benjamin Lim's death, based on CCTV footage and investigations.
JAN 25
Based on CCTV footage, a boy in school uniform appeared to be following an 11-year-old girl to a block he did not stay in. He was then seen "quickly" entering the lift after the girl.
Footage recorded from within the lift showed the molestation taking place.
The boy, later identified as Benjamin, then got out on the 13th floor. The girl got out to confront him, and a "brief exchange" took place, but the boy took the stairs to the 12th floor, and she did not follow him down. He then got into the lift at the 12th floor, and took it to the ground floor.
The girl then told her father about the incident, and the family filed a police report on the same day. The girl told the police that a boy who she had never met before had touched a part of her body.
Police then retrieved some CCTV footage. Based on Benjamin's school uniform, he was identified to be from North View Secondary School.
JAN 26
The next day, five police officers went to North View Secondary School - three from the Neighbourhood Police Centre and two from the Division. All five were in plainclothes - not in uniform nor in clothes with the word "Police" on it, and the cars they arrived in were unmarked, according to the Home Affairs Minister.
School officials identified Benjamin based on a screenshot of the CCTV footage, and he was then brought to the Principal's office.
In the office, one police officer spoke with Benjamin, and the other police officers were not present. Some of the school's educators were also present.
After the interview, Benjamin was advised by the Principal to call his mother, which he did. The police officer also spoke with the mother then, and told her that Benjamin would be brought to Ang Mo Kio Police Division to give his statement.
Benjamin was brought to the station in the unmarked car by three officers, one of whom alighted along the way, leaving Benjamin with one officer looking after him and one driving.
At the station, Benjamin requested to be given time to collect his thoughts about the incident.
JAN 26, 12.15PM
Benjamin's written statement was taken by a single officer at a workstation. The workstation was in a "typical open office", and another officer was "nearby" doing his own work. Benjamin was not handcuffed and was said to be cooperative throughout.
A photo of the cubicle where the statement was taken. (Photo: Ministry of Home Affairs)
Benjamin admitted to police that he had "intentionally" touched a part of the girl's body.
After the interview, he was placed alone in a secured Temporary Holding Room, and was offered food and drink, which he declined.
Benjamin's mother then arrived at the station, and a statement was recorded from her. Benjamin was then released on bail and he left the station with his mother and sister - that was the last contact between him and police. He had spent about 3.5 hours in the station, including the time police spent with his mother.
Based on investigations, Benjamin went home with his mother, had lunch, then played games on his phone.
A school counsellor then called Benjamin's mother, after which she told Benjamin that he would not be going to the school camp the next day.
JAN 26, ABOUT 4.20PM
Benjamin was found dead at the foot of his block.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/the-benjamin-lim-case/2559674.html?cid=TWTCNA
