In 2018, Muhammad Shahrin Mohd Shah received a jail sentence and caning for molestation and trespassing at NTU. However, he later returned to the campus again on two separate occasions and tried to enter 11 dorms at NTU in 2022 despite just being released from prison, according to a report by Channel NewsAsia.
He was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment and fined $2,800 for his latest offence.
What happened?
On two separate occasions, Shahrin returned to the university campus to commit trespassing offenses. In September 2022, he drove to a nearby carpark and proceeded to wander through the dormitory corridors, attempting to enter rooms and “look at girls.”
Clad in a hooded jacket, long pants, and a face mask, he took precautions to avoid direct contact with door handles. One incident involved him entering a room where a female student was sleeping with her boyfriend, but he quickly exited upon realizing his mistake.
In December 2022, Shahrin repeated his trespassing acts. This time, he parked his vehicle near a hall of residence and roamed the corridors shirtless, wearing long pants and a cap. To avoid detection by CCTV cameras, he carried an umbrella and shielded his face. Although he tried to enter a student’s room, he failed due to it being locked.
The prosecutor highlighted the striking similarity between Shahrin’s fresh offenses and his previous convictions. Not only did he violate the privacy of university dormitories, where students have the right to feel safe, but the victims were also vulnerable as they were asleep during these incidents. The premeditated nature of the offenses was evident as Shahrin wore a mask, carried an umbrella for cover, and relied on his knowledge of the NTU dormitory layout.
Furthermore, Shahrin used a towel to avoid leaving DNA evidence on door handles, a method he employed to prevent identification. However, it was this very DNA evidence that led to his arrest in the 2018 case. These striking resemblances highlight the seriousness and persistence of his criminal behavior.
The prosecutor sought a jail term of nine to 13 months, along with a fine and a two-year driving ban. She emphasized the gravity of the offenses, underscoring the intrusion into the privacy of the victims and the vulnerable position they were in during the incidents. The prosecutor also noted the premeditated nature of the offenses and Shahrin’s familiarity with the NTU dormitory layout, which facilitated his unlawful acts.
Shahrin represented himself during the proceedings. In mitigation, he expressed remorse and stated that he returned to the campus merely to drink. He acknowledged the impact of his past actions, which had cost him his job and left him filled with self-directed anger and confusion. However, his intoxicated state influenced his decision-making, leading him to repeat his previous criminal trespassing acts.
The judge acknowledged that no physical harm occurred to the victims but emphasized the intrusion into their privacy and the vulnerability of young female students living in the dormitory. The judge expressed concern that Shahrin did not learn from his previous conviction and instead repeated his criminal acts. Given the persistence and audacity displayed by Shahrin during his trespassing spree, the judge decided to impose a sentence uplift from his previous conviction for the offense of criminal trespass.