A 77-year-old man has been sentenced to 11 weeks in prison after he distributed nude photographs of his 44-year-old former girlfriend in an act of revenge following their breakup. The shocking case, reported by Shin Min Daily News, has highlighted the disturbing lengths to which individuals may go to humiliate former partners, and underscores the seriousness with which Singapore’s courts treat offences involving the distribution of intimate images.
Due to a gag order imposed by the court, the identities of both the victim and the perpetrator cannot be disclosed. The pair had met in March 2024 and soon embarked on a romantic relationship, during which the woman sent the man two photos — one of which showed her naked upper body. However, the relationship soured and ended on 20 August 2024, Shin Min Daily News reported.
In a desperate and malicious bid to retaliate against his ex-girlfriend for refusing to have sex with him after their breakup, the man embarked on a humiliating campaign at the coffee shops where she worked.
Humiliating Acts at Victim’s Workplaces
Just two days after the breakup, the man turned up at one of the coffee shops where the woman worked as a dishwasher. He first tried to convince her to return home with him for sex, but when she rejected his advances, he lashed out by accusing her of promiscuity.
The man then showed the nude photographs of the woman to two employees at the coffee shop’s beverage stall, claiming she was a sexually promiscuous woman who frequently propositioned him. He did this with the clear intention of humiliating her in front of her colleagues.
Later that same day, the man tracked the woman to another coffee shop where she worked her afternoon shift. There, he repeated his actions, showing the explicit images to two more staff members and continuing his slanderous accusations. The events left the victim deeply distressed.
Police Involvement and Sentencing
It was only after a colleague informed the victim of what had transpired that evening that she contacted the police, leading to the man’s arrest. He faced two charges of distributing intimate images; he pleaded guilty to one, while the other was considered during sentencing.
During his court appearance, the man pleaded for leniency, citing his advanced age and expressing a wish to return home to tend to household chores after already spending three weeks in remand. However, the prosecution argued that the man had intentionally stalked the victim at her workplaces and committed calculated acts of harassment to ensure maximum humiliation.
Following the traumatic ordeal, the woman requested a transfer and has since stopped working at the coffee shops. The case has sparked conversations around the protection of victims of image-based sexual abuse, reinforcing the need for strong legal measures to deter such offences.
Rising Awareness of Revenge Porn and Workplace Harassment
This case highlights the increasing prevalence of revenge porn and workplace harassment, both of which can have devastating impacts on victims’ mental health and employment stability. Legal experts in Singapore have emphasised the importance of educating the public about the severe consequences of distributing intimate images without consent.
Authorities urge anyone who has experienced similar abuse to report it immediately, reminding the public that Singapore’s laws on harassment and voyeurism provide significant protection for victims of such crimes.