A 38-year-old Singaporean man was sentenced on Monday, August 3, to 21 years in prison and 16 strokes of the cane. He pleaded guilty to six charges, including sexual assault and statutory rape.
The man, who was close to his brother, the victim's father, sexually exploited his 13-year-old niece. The court heard that he raped her during staycations and used sex acts as punishment due to jealousy over her dating a schoolmate. Another 17 charges were considered during the sentencing process.
In early August 2024, the man threatened to leak nude photographs and videos of the victim that he had taken without her consent. He reportedly made at least five threats to publish her private material on a pornographic website, send it to a friend, or circulate it on Telegram.
Reporting and prosecution
The victim informed her teacher about the relationship on August 6, 2024. The matter was escalated to Child Protection Services under the Singapore Ministry of Social and Family Development, which subsequently filed a police report.
The man robbed his niece of her innocence by taking her virginity when she was 13.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Chin Jincheng, alongside Joelle Loy, sought a sentence of 19.5 to 21 years' jail and at least 16 strokes of the cane. Chin Jincheng added that the man had maintained a facade of being a caring uncle.
Court proceedings
Defence lawyer Ramesh Tiwary sought 16 years' jail and 16 strokes of the cane, urging the court to consider his client's remorse and guilty plea. Justice Andre Maniam questioned if the remorse was already accounted for in the 30 per cent sentencing discount provided for the early plea of guilt.
The offender had married a woman in May 2024, though the couple did not live together. For each charge of statutory rape, the man faced up to 20 years in prison, a fine, or caning.
Prison sentence handed to the 38-year-old offender.
