A 59-year-old Singapore PR from Malaysia, was previously charged with molesting a 2-year-old toddler in her diapers. He returned to court earlier today from his place of remand with a video feed, and is set to face 3 more charges, according to Channel NewsAsia.
However, the prosecutor added that they need more time to finish investigations into the man’s case and liaise with the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), hence the case is not ready to be heard just yet.
They also asked the judge to deny the accused bail, to which the defence didn’t object to the request.
He is set to return to court on 21 February next month, and if convicted of his offences, he faces an imprisonment term of up to 5 years and a fine. He also cannot be caned because he is over 50 years old.
Recap
The 59-year-old man, was previously charged on December 6. The charges stemmed from an incident on November 9, where he allegedly molested a two-year-old girl in her diaper within the confines of the preschool.
Due to a gag order safeguarding the victim’s identity, the accused cannot be named. The court, recognizing the sensitivity of the case, has taken measures to prevent any information that could lead to the identification of the victim from being published.
Expanding Investigations and Alleged Victims
The accused’s family from Malaysia has engaged the services of Mr. Revi Shanker to represent him. The lawyer provided updates during a court appearance on December 27, revealing that the accused had been remanded at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) for a medical examination since December 13.
The IMH report unveiled a concerning diagnosis—the accused suffers from paedophilic disorder. The police prosecutor informed the court that additional charges were imminent, and the accused would be facing allegations from more victims.
Citing the paramount importance of public safety, the police prosecutor requested that no bail be granted to the accused. Highlighting that the accused worked as a cook at the preschool and the victims were all minors, the prosecutor emphasized the potential risk.
Legal Proceedings and Defence
The accused’s family enlisted the services of Mr. Revi Shanker, who argued against the denial of bail. He asserted that the IMH report did not indicate a risk of reoffending or concerns regarding public safety, especially concerning young victims.
The police prosecutor sought an extension of the gag order to include the location of the incident, a request granted by the judge to protect the privacy and well-being of all involved parties.
Preschool and Regulatory Response
The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) also initiated investigations into the case. ECDA, in collaboration with the police, is working to uncover the full extent of the allegations and ensure justice.
In response to the allegations, the accused has been dismissed by the preschool. ECDA has taken proactive measures, preventing him from working in the preschool sector during the ongoing investigations.
ECDA emphasized its commitment to the safety of children in preschools, stating that background checks are conducted on all staff, including non-teaching personnel, before