A 48-year-old Singaporean man has been sentenced to about 10 months’ jail and fined $5000 on Monday, 25 November 2019, after he was convicted of repeatedly molesting his wife and threatening his children.
The man – who cannot be named due to a gag order issued by the court – pleaded guilty to nine charges which included outrage of modesty.
According to media reports, the man who is believed to be jobless has three teenage children with his 46-year-old ex-wife.
Singaporean man jailed for close to 10 months and fined after sexually harassing his wife and threatening his children| Source: iStock
Singaporean man jailed for committing crime under court order
In September 2017, the man had been issued a restraining order after displaying violent tendencies and forcefully touching his wife despite her telling him to stop.
This especially happened when he was under the influence of alcohol.
However just a month later, in spite of being under court order, the man repeated his offence by harassing his ex-wife and even groping her buttocks.
He also repeatedly, hugged and kissed her without her consent and when she threatened to call the police he continued without any indication of stopping.
In fear of his attack, the woman got personal protection and domestic exclusion order which would prevent her husband from entering her bedroom.
In early 2018, the couple began divorce proceedings and their divorce was finalised in July this year.
But even in the midst of the proceedings, the man harassed his wife yet again.
In April last year, he reportedly shouted, “My wife is having an affair” and “she’s sleeping with another man” when he could not open his house gate.
Actions took a darker turn
Source: file photo
With no remorse or fear, the man continued to harass his wife despite legal impending legal actions.
In May 2018, the man went to his wife’s bedroom and started hitting her buttock with his hand.
When his wife shouted and asked him to go away, he climbed on top of her and tried to kiss her.
While the man continued to sexually harass her, his two children were watching the heinous act unfold.
The abuse took a darker turn in August 2018, when he began screaming, shouting and kicking the dining chairs when the television was turned on.
In his anger, he pushed containers and vegetables off the kitchen counter and grabbed a plastic container threatening to hit his wife.
But when the man realised his wife was going to call the police again he tried to flee the house.
However, his three kids and his wife restrained him.
Unfortunately, he managed to run away before the police arrived.
Severe punishment for repeated offence
District judge issued strict sentence due to the man’s repeated offence despite being under restraining order | Source: iStock
Since the Singaporean man had not only repeated his offence and also attempted to evade arrest, Deputy Public Prosecutor Kathy Chu said he should have been “charged at an earlier point in time” and ought to take “responsibility for his own actions.”
District Judge Marvin Bay meted out the heavy sentence due to the man’s “perverse and sustained victimisation of his wife ” even after receiving an expedited protection order.
He also added that the man has shown “a complete and callous disregard for the emotional and mental well-being” and that his actions have caused a lot of suffering to his family.
If you or your loved ones are experiencing domestic abuse or sexual harassment, call 999 or call the AWARE Helpline at 1800 777 5555.
Alternatively, you may seek help at the nearest Family Service Centre. The social workers will advise you on how to protect yourself and your family members. They can also help the abuser to stop his behaviour.