Woman accused of accepting client at unlicensed massage parlour among 5 charged with circuit breaker offences

SINGAPORE — A 55-year-old woman who allegedly ran an unlicensed massage establishment in Chinatown was among five individuals charged on Wednesday (April 29) with circuit breaker-related offences.

Jin Yin faces one charge under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020 and two other charges under the Massage Establishments Act.

The Singaporean is accused of allowing a 67-year-old man to get a massage and masturbation service for S$150 at In-Style Beauty Salon at Block 34 Upper Cross Street.

This allegedly happened on April 10 from 1pm to 2.30pm, during the ongoing circuit breaker period.

Between Oct 1 and Oct 30 last year, she also purportedly paid an agent to post an advertisement on Locanto offering massage and masturbation services at the salon.

On Wednesday, Jin told the court through an interpreter that her mother was diagnosed with cancer last year and that she wanted to earn money to pay off some debts.

Jin, who wailed throughout the hearing, said that she intends to plead guilty. She will return to court on May 13.

Court documents showed that she was convicted in 2014 and 2016 for similarly running an unlicensed massage establishment.

The four others charged on Wednesday were:

Sethu Selvaraj, 43

The Singapore permanent resident from India allegedly contravened a control order by leaving his Petir Road flat at about 5pm on April 19.

He was previously charged with molesting a 37-year-old woman on June 6 last year, by hugging her from the back and groping her.

He is also said to have used wrongful restraint by interlocking his hands around her waist, pulling her hand and refusing to let her go.

Rajalakshmi Sukomaran, 36

Sukomaran faces one charge of contravening a control order by leaving her home at Block 606, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5 at about 6pm on April 19.

If convicted, she could be jailed up to six months, fined up to S$10,000, or both.

Karthigayen Balasubramaniam, 32

Balasubramaniam is accused of saying: “F*** you” to two people on April 12 at the basement level of Our Tampines Hub.

He told the court that he had been arguing with NTUC FairPrice staff about face masks and that he did not use vulgarities, but did not elaborate on this. He added that he intends to hire a lawyer.

Court documents showed that in May last year, he was fined S$1,000 for harassment.

If convicted of causing alarm under the Protection from Harassment Act, he could receive an enhanced punishment of up to six months’ jail, a fine of up to S$10,000, or both.

Abdul Halim Adi, 48

Abdul Halim allegedly shouted a Hokkien vulgarity at a safe distancing ambassador in the vicinity of Hougang Mall on April 14.

He will return to court on May 13, when he is expected to plead guilty.

If convicted of using abusive words towards a public servant, he could be fined up to S$5,000, jailed for up to a year, or both.