S'pore man molests stepdaughter again after prison release, sentenced to 3 years jail
Stepdaughter runs away after nervous breakdown, suffers from nightmares and flashbacks
SINGAPORE - A 32-year-old man was sentenced on Thursday (16 February) to three years' jail and eight strokes of the cane for molesting his underaged stepdaughter again after being released from prison.
According to CNA, the man - who cannot be named due to gag orders imposed by the court - pleaded guilty to two charges of molestation. A third charge was taken into consideration by the court at the time of sentencing.
He was previously sentenced to 26 months' jail and three strokes of the cane for his offences. He was released on remission on 17 August 2020 and the remission order ran until 7 May 2021.
His stepdaughter, now 14, ran away after a nervous breakdown from the latest incident and currently lives in a care home.
Details of the second incident after man's first release
The victim had been staying with her maternal uncle and aunt upon the man's release from his first sentence.
As reported by CNA, the victim's mother brought the victim back to the family home on 28 June 2021.
Two days later, the man molested his stepdaughter while playing the Mobile Legends video game with her in the living room. The rest of the family was asleep.
The man continued to molest her until he noticed her discomfort. He then stopped and apologised.
The victim later fell asleep and was woken up by the man, who forced her to commit another sex act.
CNA reported that, on that same day, the victim decided to stay with her aunt and later told her she felt nauseous.
That evening, her aunt noticed the victim crying to herself and asked what was wrong. The victim then revealed that her stepfather had molested her.
Lodging of police report and eventual arrest
Over the next two days, a report was lodged against the victim's stepfather with the aid of her child protection officer.
CNA reported that, immediately after lodging the report, the victim ran away from her aunt's home after a nervous breakdown. Her aunt and uncle did not wish to continue caring for her subsequently.
The victim was seen at the Child Guidance Clinic of the Institute of Mental Health in January 2022. She suffered nightmares and flashbacks, and her studies have been affected badly.
The police then arrested and interviewed the man, but he denied having any sexual contact with the victim.
His DNA was later found on the victim's underwear.
The man has been allowed to begin his jail term in May, after his wife gives birth to her latest child. His wife has also forgiven him.
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