SAF Navy Scholar charged for alleged indecent acts on female cadet
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SAF Navy Scholar charged for alleged indecent acts on female cadet[/h]
May 30th, 2012 |
Author:
Editorial
LTA Benedict Ang and lawyer outside the Australian Court. (PHOTO: ABC NEWS)
An SAF scholar in the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) has been charged in Australia for alleged indecent acts on a female cadet.
The 21-year-old naval officer, Lieutenant (LTA) Benedict Ang Yong Chuean, was arrested on Sun (27 May) for allegedly entering the female cadet’s room in the same military college on 6 May.
The Australian media reported that he was charged with 2 counts of committing acts of indecency without the female cadet’s consent. LTA Ang has pleaded not guilty on Tue (29 May). His passport has been impounded and he is currently out on bail. He is scheduled to appear in the Australian court again on August 9.
According to MINDEF, LTA Ang was a trainee at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in Canberra. The academy is a partnership between the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) which provides training and education for Navy, Army and Air Force cadets from Australia and 16 other defence forces around the world.
Every year, the SAF sends about 10 officers to ADFA for training.
LTA Ang joined the RSN in 2010 after his BMT. He graduated at the top of his class of naval officer cadets at the OCS in Singapore last year, receiving the Sword of Honour. He was then sent to ADFA to train and study for a degree awarded by UNSW.
Since the alleged incident, ADFA has suspended LTA Ang from attending classes and training, pending the outcome of the case.
SAF said it takes a serious view of the conduct and discipline of its servicemen and will take appropriate action where necessary.
Meanwhile, there is no news of the outcomes of the investigations of Govt scholars ex-SCDF chief Peter Lim and ex-CNB chief Ng Boon Gay.