34-year-old man jailed for molesting colleague while watching movie at workplace

SINGAPORE — A 34-year-old man was jailed for three months on Wednesday (Jan 13) for molesting his colleague in 2016 while they were watching a movie together on a computer at their workplace.

The victim, who was 20 years old at the time, was initially afraid of reporting the matter, fearing she would jeopardise her job.

That was until the man continued his unwanted sexual advances by massaging her shoulders a few months later. He also told her that it would be good for her to remove her braces so that she could give oral sex. 

The man, his occupation and the company he worked for cannot be named due to a court gag order protecting the identity of the victim.

He pleaded guilty on Wednesday to one count of molestation. Two similar charges were taken into consideration during sentencing.

LOCKED DOOR, FORCED HIMSELF ON VICTIM

The court heard that the incident happened at about 1pm on July 23, 2016, in a room at their workplace.

He had turned off the lights in the room, saying there were no lights in cinemas as well.

While watching the movie, the man held the victim’s hand and rubbed it. He then placed his hand on the girl’s abdomen over her T-shirt, but she pushed his hand away. 

The man then locked the door and forced his hands under the victim’s T-shirt. He stopped only after the victim pinched his arm. 

She tried to move away, but the man kept going close to her. Afraid, she turned away. 

The man then restrained her from behind by hugging her and placing his hands on her waist.

He then started kissing her neck and placed his hand under her T-shirt, moving it towards her chest, all while the victim was struggling to break free of his clasp. 

In seeking at least four months’ jail, Deputy Public Prosecutor Emily Koh noted the blatant and persistent manner the man committed the offence. 

“The acts of (molestation) were not just fleeting, but were increasingly intrusive touches of private areas,” she said. “(He had) no compunction about committing the offences at his own place of work.”

The man’s lawyer Amarick Gill said the man was extremely remorseful for his actions and apologised to the victim. 

For molestation, he could have been fined, jailed up to two years, caned, or any combination of these punishments.