Youths restrained, stripped then filmed boy at party; video posted online
SINGAPORE — A 16-year-old boy who was celebrating his birthday with his friends forcibly stripped another 14-year-old boy who had come up to the group to say hello.
The 16-year-old helped restrain the victim and filmed the incident, which came to the victim's school disciplinary master's attention after the video was circulated on social media.
Both the 16-year-old and his 20-year-old male friend, who also helped restrain the boy, admitted to the acts of bullying on Wednesday (15 December). Each pleaded guilty to a charge of molest.
Both were ordered to be assessed for their suitability for probation, and will return to court on 28 January. Probation is a community-based sentencing option that is usually given to young offenders who will not have a criminal record upon completing their term.
Another 16-year-old boy, a friend of the accused persons who had come up with the plan to bully the victim, had earlier pleaded guilty to a count of molest and is awaiting his sentence.
None of the parties can be named to protect the identity of the victim.
Accused persons laughed as the victim was naked
On 3 March last year, at about 11pm, the trio, a 14-year-old girl, and an unknown man were celebrating the 16-year-old accused's birthday at a barbecue pit in Yishun.
The victim, who passed by the pit on his e-scooter, approached the group to say hello. Court documents did not state if the victim was acquainted with anyone in the group.
The 16-year-old friend then came up with the idea to pull down the victim’s pants, and his two male friends agreed to join in.
At about 12.45am the next day, the 20-year-old man restrained the victim, pulling him to the ground. He shouted, “faster come and pull his pants”. He undid the victim's belt, and pulled down his pants and underwear.
The 20-year-old then hung the victim's pants on a sheltered walkway and hid the underwear in the bushes. The group ignored the victim's plea for them to stop, and the teen girl recorded the victim with her mobile phone.
While the victim’s lower torso was naked, the group again restrained him and the 20-year-old removed his shirt. The victim managed to break their hold and hid near a bush where it was dark. The 16-year-old accused filmed a second video of the victim having his shirt removed.
The group laughed at the victim and later returned his clothes. The girl forwarded the two videos to the others in her group.
The victim felt angry and asked the group to delete the videos. The 20-year-old man said he would, and promised not to circulate the videos.
However, one of the videos was posted on social media.The victim’s discipline master was informed about the video and he lodged a police report.
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