A 36-year old American man was jailed for two weeks after pleading guilty to a single charge of intruding into the privacy of a 25-year-old woman. The offence took place on March 17 on the exit escalator from Somerset MRT station.
Investigations showed that around 10am that day, the victim and her boyfriend alighted from the train at Somerset MRT station. On the escalator leading up to the mall, the boyfriend was on the step in front of and above the victim. The offender, who was on his way to work, stood one step directly behind the victim.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Yang Ziliang said the victim did not pay attention to anything behind her until she felt something touch her right inner thigh just above her knee. She turned around and noticed the offender standing on the step directly behind her. She found that strange because there was no one else on the rest of the escalator. She looked down and saw the offender holding his mobile phone between her legs, below her skirt.
Suspecting him of taking an upskirt video of her, she grabbed his collar and sought help from her boyfriend and security officers. The offender put up a struggle, but was ultimately detained by the victim’s boyfriend and the security officers.
According to the victim, the offender kept asking her not to press charges and to settle the matter privately. The police were called.
In his mitigation plea, Mr Amarjit Singh Sidhu, said that his client, who came here to work last year, was a “man of good moral standing” and had always been law-abiding. “He is truly sorry for his wrongdoing; this was a one-off incident that is absolutely out of character,” said Mr Amarjit Singh.
He also said his client’s lapse in judgment was the result of the emotional instability he suffered when he returned from his break in the United States. This was compounded by immense work stress, the lawyer added.
District Judge Jasvender Kaur agreed with the prosecution that the offence called for a jail sentence, and said such offences were “quite prevalent”.
He could have been jailed for up to one year and/or fined for insulting the modesty of a woman.
Mr Amarjit Singh Sidhu of Amarjit Sidhu Law Practice has represented numerous clients in a wide variety of matters over the years from traffic offences, family disputes to high-profile criminal cases. With a vast knowledge of Singapore’s laws and a wealth of experience, Mr Amarjit Singh Sidhu will be able to provide valuable and timely advice for your situation. For more information, feel free to contact us for a consultation.
