In a recent court ruling on Monday (Jan 8), Chua Chee Kiat, a 27-year-old Singaporean, received a 16-month jail sentence for a disturbing incident that unfolded on an MRT train. The verdict comes after Chua pleaded guilty to using criminal force to outrage the modesty of a 33-year-old woman, according to a report by TODAY.
Due to a court order protecting the identity of the victim, her name cannot be published.
Incident Details
The court heard that on Sept 19 last year, at approximately 7.45 pm, Chua boarded the train at Aljunied MRT Station.
He noticed a woman, eyes closed, and, driven by a desire to touch her chest, sat down beside her. Chua used his backpack to conceal his actions while touching the woman’s chest. The victim awoke after the third instance, and when confronted, Chua claimed it was an accident, telling her “sorry, accident”.
Chua alighted at Bedok MRT Station, with the woman following him closely behind, who sought his identity card. Despite repeated apologies, Chua refused to provide his identification. The incident was reported to station staff, leading to Chua’s later arrest at Bedok Camp after police officers tracked him down.
Legal Consequences
Chua’s sentencing includes 16 months in jail for the offense and an additional 40 days due to breaching the basic conditions of his remission order, having committed the act two months after release from a previous prison term. Notably, Chua had prior convictions in 2021 and 2022 for similar offenses.
Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Pavithra Ramkumar said that Chua had deliberately sat next to the victim to molest her, exhibiting signs of planning and premeditation in his efforts to take advantage of the vulnerable woman who was sleeping.
Background and National Service Involvement
Chua is currently serving National Service, raising questions about potential repercussions within the military system. His criminal history, including previous convictions, played a significant role in determining the severity of the sentence.