Woman allegedly raped thrice in public, accused claims trial

SINGAPORE — It was the wee hours of Chinese New Year’s Eve in 2013 when a young woman was allegedly ambushed and raped three times by a stranger at various locations between Martin Road and River Valley Close.

The alleged assailant, Lim Choon Beng, now 30, insists that he does not remember his actions, and pleaded not guilty to seven charges: Three for rape, three for sexual assault and one for molest.

His eight-day trial started on Tuesday (May 3).

The alleged victim, a performing artiste from China, is now 27 and cannot be named due to a court order to protect her identity.

On Feb 9, 2013, she was said to have been raped outside The Watermark @ Robertson Quay condominium along Rodyk Street at around 3.15am. Her ripped panties, with a tear measuring 23.5cm across the back, was found in the vicinity, while the slider of the zipper on her dress was dislodged.

The reported sexual assault lasted about 20 minutes, with Lim allegedly raping her another two times — outside another condominium at Robertson Quay and then near a lamp post along River Valley Close.

During a hearing on Tuesday in the High Court where the alleged victim testified in private, Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Lin Yinbing called this a “brazen case”.

She said in her opening statement that the woman would tell the court how she was “waylaid by the accused on the public street to be sexually assaulted and raped at three locations”.

Witnesses set to give their testimonies during the trial will include an independent eyewitness, who had seen a man “abusing” a woman that night. “He is on top of her and the girl is crying. Can you check?” she had told the police over the phone at the time.

A motorist, who had picked up the woman and driven her to look for a police station, is also expected to testify, as well as a male friend of the alleged victim who received a call from her after the incident.

Evidence submitted included a bloodstained dress worn by the woman.

DPP Lin said: “The victim’s blood had stained the rear interior and exterior of her dress. (Her) blood was found on the interior of (Lim’s) underwear, jeans and shirt.

“Soil was found on several areas of the victim’s dress and a few areas on her shawl; soil-like stains were found on the lower half of (Lim’s) sleeves and the front right region of his shirt; and... on the front right and left knee regions of (his) jeans.”

Lim’s DNA was also detected on the woman’s bra, she added.

Lim is defended by lawyers Anand Nalachandran from TSMP Law Corporation and Cai Chengying from Allen and Gledhill, under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme. The defence will call upon a medical doctor, a psychiatrist, a forensic expert, as well as the accused to take the stand during the trial.