A 19-year-old male has been sentenced to 18 months of probation on Tuesday after being found in possession of 1,282 explicit images and videos of children. To protect the individual’s identity, as he was only 16 years old at the time of the incident, his name remains undisclosed under the Children and Young Persons Act.

In December 2022, the teenager pleaded guilty to a single charge of possessing illegal explicit materials. The prosecution emphasized that the individual was fully aware that his actions constituted a criminal offense. Despite his age at the time of the offense, the court held him accountable for his actions and proceeded with the legal process.

As part of the probation terms, the individual is required to adhere to a curfew from 10 pm to 6 am daily. Additionally, he must engage in 100 hours of community service and attend counseling sessions specifically addressing the offense he committed. These measures aim to promote rehabilitation and prevent future offenses.

To ensure the individual’s compliance with the probation terms, his stepfather has been required to provide a bond of $5,000. This financial commitment serves as a guarantee that the probationary conditions will be followed diligently.

Background

The individual’s involvement in the possession of explicit materials dates back to September 2019 when he downloaded a messaging platform called Kik out of boredom. It was through this platform that he initiated contact with an unknown user who introduced him to adult content involving minors.

The raid conducted by Singaporean law enforcement was prompted by information received from Interpol Ottawa in Canada. Interpol Ottawa had identified a local IP address associated with the distribution of obscene materials involving children.

After establishing contact with the unknown user on Kik, the individual received a link and instructions for downloading explicit material. Subsequently, he downloaded multiple videos and images, including those featuring children. At some point, he shared one of the obscene images with another Kik user, resulting in his suspension from the platform.

In response, he promptly uninstalled the application from his phone out of fear but failed to delete the downloaded material.

During a raid conducted by law enforcement officers on April 29, 2020, at the individual’s residence, incriminating material was discovered on his mobile phone.

A teacher in Singapore has been sentenced to 10 months and two weeks in jail after being found guilty of capturing upskirt videos. The incidents took place between 2015 and 2018 and involved at least 47 victims, including both colleagues and students.

The individual, a 50-year-old father of three who was formerly a discipline master, cannot be named due to a gag order protecting the victims’ identities.

During the court proceedings on Tuesday, District Judge Brenda Tan took note of a report by Dr. Stephen Phang from the Institute of Mental Health, which indicated that the teacher was suffering from major depressive disorder at the time of the offences.

Although the teacher was deemed suitable for a mandatory treatment order, Dr. Phang concluded that he still had the capacity to choose not to commit the acts. Consequently, Judge Tan determined that the teacher’s mental condition carried little weight in terms of mitigation and sentenced him to a period of imprisonment.

Following the sentencing, the teacher’s defense lawyer, Laurence Goh, announced the intention to appeal the verdict. Bail was set at $15,000.

Under the law, each count of insulting a woman’s modesty can lead to a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a fine.

The case came to light when one of the victims, a female teacher, became suspicious and reported her concerns to the police on July 14, 2018. The Ministry of Education confirmed that the teacher had been suspended from service since that date and is no longer employed at any school.

During the investigation, it was discovered that the teacher had filmed multiple upskirt videos of his colleagues, targeting at least 38 individuals between April 2015 and July 2018. He would discreetly place his mobile phone beneath a colleague’s skirt while they were at his workstation for data entry tasks, recording videos without their knowledge or consent.

Additionally, the teacher filmed multiple upskirt videos of several students using the same method. The prosecutor emphasized that at least seven of the victims were underage students who were particularly vulnerable due to their young age and the trust placed in the school and its staff.

In a separate incident, the teacher used his mobile phone to record two upskirt videos of a male student who had been caught for the same offense. He claimed that it was done to gather evidence but transferred the videos to a personal hard disk for his own collection.

He also committed similar offences in other locations, including his mother-in-law’s home, where he targeted a female relative back in February 2017 as well.

In a swift response to a reported theft incident, the Singapore Police have successfully arrested a 31-year-old man believed to be involved in a case of theft in dwelling.

The incident unfolded on June 9, 2023, at approximately 2:18 p.m. when authorities received an alert about a theft at a pawnshop located on Indus Road.

According to reports, the suspect entered the establishment and expressed interest in seeing a gold chain and a gold bracelet, which together had an estimated value of $11,550.

However, in a shocking turn of events, the man allegedly absconded with the items once they were handed over to him.

Taking immediate action, officers from the Tanglin Police Division launched an extensive investigation, conducting thorough ground inquiries and utilizing images from Police cameras and CCTV footage, which quickly led to the identification of the suspect, enabling them to make an arrest within a eight hours of the initial report. The apprehension took place in the vicinity of Orchard Road.

During the arrest, law enforcement authorities were able to recover approximately $8,655 in cash, along with a gold bracelet. Additionally, a mobile phone and the suspect’s clothing worn during the alleged offense were seized as crucial pieces of evidence in the case.

The 31-year-old suspect is expected to be charged in court on June 10, 2023, with the offense of theft in dwelling, as stipulated under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871. If convicted, he could face a maximum prison sentence of up to seven years, in addition to a fine.

Singapore Police’s press release

The Police have arrested a 31-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a case of theft in dwelling.

On 9 June 2023 at about 2.18pm, the Police were alerted to a case of theft at Indus Road. The man visited a pawnshop and requested to see a gold chain and a gold bracelet worth a total of $11,550. When the man was handed over the gold chain and the gold bracelet, he allegedly fled from the pawnshop.

Through extensive ground enquiries and with the aid of images from Police cameras and CCTV footages, officers from Tanglin Police Division established the identity of the man and arrested him in the vicinity of Orchard Road within eight hours of the report.

Cash amounting to about $8655 and a gold bracelet were recovered. A handphone and his apparels used during the alleged offence were also seized as case exhibits.

The man will be charged in court on 10 June 2023 with the offence of theft in dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871. The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to seven years and a fine.

In a tragic incident at Changi Naval Base, a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) regular serviceman was discovered dead on June 12, 2023, at approximately 0850hrs. The Singapore Police Force and the Singapore Civil Defence Force swiftly responded to the incident.

Preliminary investigations conducted by the authorities have not revealed any signs of foul play. As a result, the case has been categorized as an unnatural death, and a thorough investigation is currently in progress.

The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the SAF express their deepest condolences to the family of the late serviceman during this difficult time. They have assured the family that they will provide all necessary support and assistance in coping with their grief.

MINDEF’s press release

A Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) regular serviceman was found dead at Changi Naval Base on 12 Jun 2023 at about 0850hrs. The Singapore Police Force and the Singapore Civil Defence Force were activated.

Based on preliminary investigations, the Police do not suspect foul play. They have classified the case as an unnatural death, and investigations are ongoing.

The Ministry of Defence and the SAF extend our deepest condolences to the family of the late serviceman, and are assisting the family in their time of grief.

Other servicemen deaths in the army

A 39-year-old SAF regular serviceman died at Kranji Camp after completing his own physical training back in February 2021.

He reportedly felt unwell after the session and at 0830hrs, he was conveyed to Kranji Camp Medical Centre, and he was then subsequently taken to NUH in an ambulance about 20 minutes later, where he suffered a cardiac arrest on the way.

Resuscitative efforts were immediately made, and the ambulance arrived at NUH at about 0910hrs.

However, the serviceman was pronounced dead at 1058hrs.

Another SAF regular serviceman, aged 47, was found hanging from a rope at the rooftop of Gombak multi-storey carpark on 23 August 2021. The Singapore Police Force and the Singapore Civil Defence Force were activated by the unit. The serviceman was pronounced dead on site at 1339hrs by an SAF medical officer.

Based on the preliminary investigations, the Police do not suspect foul play.

the Singapore Police Force confirmed receiving a report of an unnatural death in a residential unit at Block 645 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 at approximately 1:15 pm on June 8.

Authorities discovered a 64-year-old man lying motionless in the apartment, and he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Shin Min Daily News.

According to the police’s preliminary investigations, they are not suspecting any foul play at the moment.

The deceased’s neighbors claim they never witnessed any visits from his relatives or friends. On June 8, when Shin Min arrived at Ho’s residence, the police had already cordoned off the area.

Neighboring residents were observed closing their doors and windows tightly while using deodorant to eliminate any unpleasant odor.

According to individuals living on the same floor as Ho, the elderly man had resided in the building for over two decades. However, he rarely interacted with his neighbors, and they had never seen any family members or friends visiting him.

“The deceased mentioned that he had worked multiple jobs before retiring, including selling vegetables at the market and working as a part-time cleaner. He was a diligent individual who would leave early in the morning and return late at night,” stated the neighbors.

Speaking to SMDN, Ho’s 60-year-old girlfriend, Chan revealed that they lived separately, with Ho residing in Ang Mo Kio and herself in Toa Payoh, despite being in a relationship with Ho for over a decade.

The couple had not officially married, although they had playfully discussed the idea of doing so in the past.

“Both of us were getting older, and we kept each other company [over the years]. He loved me deeply,” Chan shared.

Chan also disclosed that Ho’s doctor had previously advised him to undergo a pacemaker implant due to his recurring heart issues. However, Ho had reservations, fearing that it would make him more susceptible to lightning strikes.

Ho also informed Chan that he was feeling unwell and had lost his appetite before his death.

Chan added that “I last saw him six days ago. At that time, I noticed he wasn’t feeling well, so I suggested he stay at my place for the night so I could take care of him. However, he insisted on returning home.”

During the period of no contact, Chan attempted to reach the hospital to inquire about Ho’s whereabouts. However, she could not obtain any information as she did not possess his NRIC number.

A 24-year-old man named Howard Lam Wen Jun was arrested for being allegedly involved in two cases of theft as a servant.

At approximately 6:30 pm on February 17, the police received a report concerning a stolen luxury watch from a fitness gym located on Wallich Street. Subsequently, officers from the Central Police Division arrested the suspect, who happened to be an employee of the gym in question.

Initial investigations suggest that the suspect stole two luxury watches on two separate occasions, with a combined value of around S$173,000. Fortunately, both watches have been successfully recovered.

On June 13, Lam was formally charged in court with two counts of theft as a servant, an offense that can result in imprisonment for up to seven years, in addition to a fine.

Based on court documents, Lam held a position at Gym Virgin Active, situated on the sixth floor of Guoco Tower along Wallich Street. The first alleged theft occurred on January 10, around 2:00 pm, when Lam supposedly stole a Rolex Submariner Hulk worth S$13,300 from a male locker in the gym.

The second alleged theft took place on February 17, between 2:07 pm and 2:11 pm, at the same gym. Lam was suspected of stealing a Patek Philippe watch valued at S$160,000 from a male locker belonging to a 35-year-old individual. It’s important to note that Lam was still employed by Gym Virgin Active at the time of the incident.

Singapore Police’s statement

The Police have arrested a 24-year-old man for his suspected involvement in two cases of theft as a servant.

On 17 February 2023 at about 6.30pm, the Police were alerted to a case of a stolen luxury watch from a fitness gym along Wallich Street. Officers from Central Police Division subsequently arrested a 24-year-old man who was an employee of the fitness gym. Preliminary investigations revealed that the man had allegedly stolen two luxury watches with a total value of about $173,000 on two separate occasions. The two watches have been recovered.

The man will be charged in court on 13 June 2023 with two counts of theft as a servant under Section 381 of the Penal Code 1871. The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to seven years and a fine.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
12 June 2023 @ 10:45 PM