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Art teacher on trial for allegedly molesting 13-year-old male student in school

SINGAPORE — Questioned by his school principal the day after he allegedly molested a Secondary Two student last February, the art teacher apparently admitted he had touched the boy’s thighs.

SINGAPORE — Questioned by his school principal the day after he allegedly molested a Secondary Two student last February, the art teacher apparently admitted he had touched the boy’s thighs.

Taking the stand on the first day of the molestation trial, the school principal said the 37-year-old accused – who cannot be named to protect the identity of the boy – “appeared to be shocked and remorseful” when asked to explain what had happened.

He “knew that he had gone overboard… but wanted to (apologise) to the student (and his) parents”, the principal testified.

The teacher also told her about what he had asked the boy – such as whether the 13-year-old had ever been in a relationship and if he had read a particular adult comic, said the principal.

The art teacher, who joined the school in 2010, faces three charges of outraging the boy’s modesty on Feb 17 last year. He allegedly squeezed the boy’s chest, touched his groin at least twice and grabbed his left ankle before moving his hand up to the back of the victim’s thighs. He has been interdicted from teaching duties.

The incident allegedly took place when the pair were the only ones left in the school’s art room.

The boy told his mother about the incident, and she called his form teacher that night sounding “angry and distressed”.

The form teacher testified that she spoke to the boy on the phone and he recounted the incident, as well as the art teacher’s questions on “unconventional topics”, such as his leg hair.

She instructed him to write a statement about what had happened before going to school the next morning.

The next day, the boy arrived in school with his parents and met with the vice-principal, his form teacher and the Secondary Two level head.

The boy was asked to write another statement, alone and without interference, in a room, the court heard.

That evening, he was examined by Dr Lim Yang Chern of the National University Hospital’s children’s emergency department. Dr Lim, an associate consultant, also took the stand on Monday. He said the boy showed no external signs of injury and that he notified the police after the consultation.

Questioned by defence lawyer Shashi Nathan, the form teacher and principal described the art teacher as a “creative” person who had interesting lessons and good ideas.

The form teacher said the alleged victim expressed himself better in writing than verbally. “If people bullied him, he would not retaliate,” she said.

The trial continues on Tuesday (Nov 7). If convicted, the accused faces up to five years’ jail and caning or a fine for each charge.

 

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