Jail for repeat molester who touched woman's chest while she was sleeping on MRT train
Join our WhatsApp or Telegram channels for the latest updates, or follow us on TikTok and Instagram.
- Chua Chee Kiat, 27, boarded the train at Aljunied MRT Station and then saw the victim sleeping in her seat
- He sat down next to her and touched her three times on the chest
- The woman woke up and confronted him, but he said: "Sorry, accident"
- The court heard that Chua was a repeat offender who had similar convictions in 2021 and 2022
- He was sentenced to 16 months' jail with an additional 40 days' jail
BY
JASMINE ONG
Published January 8, 2024Updated January 8, 2024
WhatsAppTelegramFacebookTwitterEmailLinkedIn
SINGAPORE — Driven by a desire to touch the chest of a woman while she was sleeping on an MRT train, Chua Chee Kiat sat down next to her and molested her, using his bag to cover his actions.
The 27-year-old Singaporean was sentenced to 16 months' jail on Monday (Jan 8) after he pleaded guilty to using criminal force to outrage the modesty of the woman.
Chua was given an additional 40 days' jail as he had committed the offence two months after he was released from prison, breaching the basic conditions of his remission order.
He had been convicted in 2021 and 2022 for the same type of offences.
The name of the victim cannot be published under a gag order to protect her identity.
The court heard that Chua is still serving National Service.
At about 7.45pm on Sept 19 last year, Chua boarded the train at Aljunied MRT Station and noticed the 33-year-old woman seated with her eyes closed.
Feeling attracted to her and wanting to touch her chest, Chua sat down beside her.
When he was sure that no one was looking, he touched the woman's chest with his fingers, hugging his backpack to cover his actions.
The victim woke up after Chua touched her the third time.
When she confronted him, he said: "Sorry, accident".
Chua alighted at Bedok MRT Station and the woman followed him to ask him for his NRIC.
But Chua refused to give it to her, repeatedly apologising before leaving the station.
The woman told the staff at the station what had happened and the police were called.
Chua was subsequently traced and arrested at Bedok Camp several hours later.
'SIGNS OF PREMEDITATION AND PLANNING'
Seeking a jail term of between 15 and 18 months with an additional 40 to 60 days' jail, Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Pavithra Ramkumar argued that there were signs of premeditation and planning as Chua had deliberately sat next to the victim to molest her."The offence also occurred on a public transport and there is a compelling public interest to deter such offences to preserve the integrity and safety of public transport services for commuters," said DPP Pavithra.
She added that Chua had taken advantage of the victim, who was in a vulnerable situation as she was sleeping.
Chua, who was unrepresented, told the court during mitigation that he would like to apologise to the victim and her family as what he had done did not just affect her but her loved ones as well.
In delivering her decision, District Judge Sharmila Sripathy-Shanaz said that Chua recognises how his actions affect victims and their family, he also needs to realise the impact on his own family.
"Reflect on how you can do things differently and come out having bettered yourself so that you don't continue your actions that have adverse consequences for not just strangers but your own family members, who I am sure you care about," said the judge.
Anyone guilty of using criminal force intending to outrage the modesty of a person could be jailed for up to three years, fined or caned, or with any combination of these punishments.
