Train driver gets five years and nine strokes for molestation, burglary and house trespass
Published on May 11, 2015 6:03 PM
Train driver Muhamad Nizam Ahmad, 31, faced 16 charges in court and pleaded guilty to six of them. He had trespassed into other people's homes to molest women and commit theft. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW
By Elena Chong
SINGAPORE - A train driver who trespassed into other people's homes to molest women and commit theft was sentenced to five years' jail and nine strokes of the cane on Monday.
Muhamad Nizam Ahmad, 31, faced 16 charges and pleaded guilty to six.
The offences occurred in several HDB blocks in Woodlands Drive 14 between 2009 and last year.
A district court heard that at about 6am on Oct 5 last year, a 37-year-old woman was lying half awake when she saw Nizam opening her bedroom door slowly while carrying a torchlight.
He fled when she shouted for her domestic worker.
He had similarly entered into another unit last August when a 16-year-old woke up at 5.30am to find him in front of her. He quickly ran out.
In the early hours of July 27, 2010, he used a broom to fish out the key from a unit to unlock its grille gate. He molested an 18-year-old girl and stole $20 from her wallet but he dropped it outside in his haste to escape.
On May 14, 2011, Nizam entered the unlocked door of a 28-year-old woman before jumping on her bed and pinning her down to molest her. She managed to break free.
He also committed another house trespass on May 30, 2009, but fled when he saw a 12-year-old girl inside, the court heard.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Michelle Lu told District Judge Toh Yung Cheong said the serial offender's offences over five years were pre-meditated and hard to detect.
The remaining 10 charges were considered during his sentencing.
