After a family dinner celebrating his wife’s birthday, a 65-year-old man took advantage of his position of authority and forced his 11-year-old granddaughter to perform oral intercourse with him at a staircase landing.

This disturbing act was not an isolated event, as the man had been assaulting the girl since she was 10 years old.

The man, who is now 68 years old, was sentenced on Monday to 12 years imprisonment after pleading guilty to one count of rape for the staircase landing incident, which took place back in 10 July 2020.

Family Dynamics and Regular Visits

The victim’s visits to her grandfather and step-grandmother’s flat were regular occurrences, taking place every Sunday. These visits involved the girl’s mother, stepfather, and step-siblings, reflecting a close-knit family structure.

On July 10, 2020, the family gathered to celebrate the birthday of the girl’s step-grandmother. After dinner, the victim’s step-grandmother asked the girl to accompany her grandfather to buy durians at a nearby stall. On their way back to the flat, the man took advantage of the staircase landing, one flight of stairs up from the ground floor, to carry out his disturbing actions.

The Victim’s Traumatic Experience

The victim’s horror and disgust were palpable as she turned away when the man attempted to kiss her. However, he proceeded to pull down her jeans and molest her. The girl, wanting to escape the situation, tried to walk away, but the man forcibly grabbed her wrist, pulling her back. He then coerced her into performing oral on him, compounding the physical and emotional trauma she experienced. The girl was also too young at the time to understand the gravity of the depravity that she was being subjected to by her grandfather.

The victim’s inability to confide in a trusted adult further highlights the complexity of the situation. Despite feeling anger towards her grandfather, the girl found it challenging to disclose the offenses committed against her.

The turning point came when the girl, in the wake of a disagreement with her mother, confided in her form teacher. Recognizing the severity of the situation, the teacher referred the girl to a school counselor, who then contacted the Ministry of Social and Family Development.

Child protection officers swiftly took action, facilitating the girl’s police report and subsequent arrest of the perpetrator.

The Devastating Impact on the Victim

The victim’s emotional and psychological well-being suffered immensely due to the man’s acts. In her victim impact statement, she revealed the nightmares she endured, reliving the trauma inflicted upon her by her grandfather.

The distress caused by the abuse led her to contemplate self-harm, necessitating counseling to address thoughts of self harm.

While she has made progress in her recovery, she continues to experience flashbacks and fear older men. Anxiety and physical symptoms, such as sweaty palms, surface whenever an older man sits beside her on the bus.

Dark history

The man’s abhorrent behavior didn’t start with the incident at the staircase landing. He began molesting his granddaughter when she was just 10 years old.

Over a span of more than 1½ years, he subjected her to various offenses, inflicting immense emotional and psychological harm on the young girl.

The legal ramifications of the man’s actions are significant. In 2020, the definition of rape in the Penal Code was expanded to include oral penetration without consent. This legal amendment ensures that all forms of non-consensual acts are treated with the severity they deserve.

In this case, the man’s conviction for rape reflects the gravity of his actions and the impact they had on the victim.

Sentencing and Caning Considerations

The man’s sentence of 12 years’ imprisonment includes a six-month term in lieu of caning. Traditionally, the crime of rape carries a minimum punishment of 12 strokes of the cane. However, the man, being over 50 years old, is exempted from caning. This exemption is due to the physical limitations that come with age.

Additional Charges Taken Into Consideration

The severity of the man’s actions is underscored by the fact that eight other charges were taken into consideration during sentencing. These charges include a second rape charge, as well as charges for molesting the girl, showing her an obscene image on his mobile phone, and exposing himself to her.

On Sunday, July 9th, at approximately 12:20 pm, a collision took place at the junction of Queen’s Road and Lutheran Road in the Bukit Timah area.

According to reports from Shin Min Daily News, a blue sport-utility vehicle (SUV) was traveling along Queen’s Road when it collided with a black sedan traveling on Lutheran Road. This collision had far-reaching consequences, leading to the SUV’s subsequent plunge into a nearby canal.

SUV was spinning before it fell into the canal

Eyewitness accounts shed light on the intensity of the accident. Mr. Zhuang, a family member of the SUV driver who was present at the scene, revealed that the vehicle spun around several times after the collision before ultimately crashing through the railing and plummeting into the canal.

Onlookers and reporters were quick to observe the aftermath, noticing the extensive damage caused by the SUV’s impact on the railing, which created a significant gap.

To ensure the safety of everyone involved, the police promptly cordoned off the area.

The submerged SUV suffered severe damage to its left side, as the force of the impact caused it to submerge in the canal. The rear wheels came to rest on a portion of the broken railing, while the front bumper was nearly detached.

The license plate had dislodged, and the front seat airbags had deployed, bearing witness to the intensity of the collision. The arduous task of removing the SUV from the canal took over an hour, with the operation finally concluding later in the afternoon.

Migrant worker to the rescue

Amidst the chaos and panic that ensued, an unexpected hero emerged. Kudia, a 35-year-old migrant worker, happened to be nearby, working on the renovation of a nearby house.

Alongside his colleagues, Kudia was on a lunch break when they heard a series of loud bangs. Driven by curiosity, they rushed outside to investigate and were confronted by the sight of the SUV submerged in the canal, with a woman and her son trapped inside.

The woman, undoubtedly in a state of shock, reached out to her son, desperately asking if he was hurt. However, the young boy stood there, seemingly dazed and unable to respond.

Without hesitation, Kudia leaped into action. Braving the treacherous waters, he swiftly carried the boy to safety, passing him to the other workers waiting outside.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Kudia and his colleagues immediately devised a plan to rescue the woman. They lowered a sturdy ladder into the canal, offering her a lifeline.

Grateful and overwhelmed, the woman climbed up the ladder, expressing her heartfelt appreciation for the swift and selfless actions of these courageous individuals.

As the incident gained attention, concerned individuals sought updates on the well-being of the car’s occupants. The police confirmed that the accident involved two vehicles, and both the female driver, aged 42, and her 12-year-old son were conscious when they were transported to the hospital.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) swiftly responded to the scene and conveyed them to the National University Hospital (NUH) for further medical evaluation and treatment.

Relief washed over the victims’ family as they learned that the SUV had not overturned, and both the mother and son had not sustained any evident trauma.

The driver of the black sedan, a 60-year-old woman, is currently cooperating with the ongoing police investigations.

Images source: Shin Min Daily News on TikTok and Facebook

25-year-old Nikhil Durgude pleaded guilty on 1 June to multiple charges, including one count of intentionally causing harm to obstruct a public servant from performing their duties. His additional charges included the possession of cannabis and the consumption of methamphetamine.

He was sentenced on 10 July to 9 years and 18 months imprisonment and fined $4,000.

He had assaulted a police officer and left his face bloodied during an incident at a condominium unit where another police officer drew his gun.

What happened

According to court documents, on November 5, 2020, three officers, including Senior Staff Sergeant (SSS) Chua Ming Cheng and Inspector Zheng Yiyang, visited a unit at City Suites in Balestier as part of a police operation.

They identified themselves as police officers to Nikhil and two other individuals, Prakash Mathivanan and Malani Naidu Prabhakar Naid, who were present in the living room.

While complying with the officers’ instructions to squat and place their hands on their heads, the trio engaged in conversation. When SSS Chua instructed them to stop talking, Prakash stood up and attacked the officer, causing him to fall. Prakash also struck SSS Chua in the face and upper body.

Inspector Zheng responded by drawing his service revolver and aiming it at the sofa, which was in the general direction of Prakash and Nikhil. After commanding Prakash to cease his attack on SSS Chua, Prakash turned towards Inspector Zheng and forcefully grabbed the officer’s hands, which were holding the revolver.

Before SSS Chua could rise and assist Inspector Zheng, Nikhil assaulted him by repeatedly punching and kicking him. SSS Chua fell once again, and Nikhil continued to attack him while he lay on the floor.

The prosecution stated, “The accused engaged in this assault to prevent SSS Chua from assisting Inspector Zheng and, thereby, aimed to hinder SSS Chua from fulfilling his duty as a public servant.”

Some time later, two additional officers entered the unit, leading to Nikhil ceasing his assault on SSS Chua.

Tested positive for drugs

All three individuals were subsequently arrested. A urine test conducted at the Central Police Division headquarters, where Nikhil was taken, revealed the presence of methamphetamine.

Previously, the police had reported that a man was shot in the abdomen during a confrontation with officers who were conducting a raid in the condominium.

SSS Chua sought medical attention at Singapore General Hospital and sustained a cut on the forehead, as well as abrasions on the right elbow and left forearm.

Nikhil could face imprisonment for up to seven years, corporal punishment in the form of caning, or a fine for intentionally causing harm to a public servant.

His sentencing is scheduled for June 16.

S. Mageshwaran, a recalcitrant offender, was previously convicted for possessing a dangerous weapon, harassment, and traffic offenses; and he was out on bail when he handed a harpoon to his alleged accomplice, Sheran Raj Balasubramaniam, with the weapon later used to stab another individual.

The Harpoon Incident

On June 3, 2022, S. Mageshwaran took a harpoon with him to Cuscaden Road. He then passed it on to Sheran Raj Balasubramaniam, who used the harpoon to stab a 23-year-old man.

The victim was discovered bleeding profusely, with the weapon lodged in his back. Fortunately, he remained conscious and was immediately transported to the hospital for medical attention.

Mageshwaran’s Criminal History

S. Mageshwaran’s involvement in criminal activities did not begin with the harpoon incident. In fact, he had a previous conviction for possessing a dangerous weapon in 2019, which resulted in a three-year and three-month jail sentence.

He was released from prison in 2020, placed under a remission order that required him to stay out of trouble from September 3, 2020, to October 1, 2021.

However, Mageshwaran failed to comply with the order and reoffended on November 30, 2020.

The Incident in Little India

On that day, Mageshwaran, under the influence of alcohol, directed vulgar language at a 33-year-old policeman in Dunlop Street, Little India. This act led to his subsequent arrest and release on bail, setting the stage for the harpoon incident.

The harpoon incident

Sheran Raj, Mageshwaran’s alleged accomplice, played a pivotal role in the harpoon incident. He requested Mageshwaran’s presence at Candy Bar, located in Ming Arcade shopping center, on June 3, 2022.

Aware of potential altercations at the bar, Sheran Raj asked Mageshwaran to bring a weapon along. Mageshwaran agreed and had the harpoon in his possession when Sheran Raj picked him up in a taxi.

While en route to Candy Bar, Mageshwaran handed the tactical harpoon to Sheran Raj, who discreetly kept it in the left pocket of his shorts.

At approximately 4:30 am, outside Candy Bar, Sheran Raj unexpectedly used the harpoon to stab a man. The motive behind the attack remains undisclosed.

Simultaneously, Mageshwaran engaged in a verbal dispute with a 22-year-old man on Cuscaden Road. The situation escalated when the man’s friends intervened, prompting Mageshwaran to retrieve a machete from his mother’s flat.

He then proceeded to Labrador Park, where he committed criminal intimidation against a group of seven individuals.

Waving the machete, he charged towards them, causing fear and prompting them to flee. The police were notified and apprehended Mageshwaran shortly after the incident.

Additional Traffic Offenses

In a separate incident in September 2021, Mageshwaran was involved in traffic offenses, including driving without a license in Yishun. This further demonstrates his blatant disregard for the law and the safety of others.

The Arrest and Sentencing

Finally, on April 10, 2022, Mageshwaran’s former girlfriend contacted the police after being disturbed by someone shouting outside her flat.

Upon arriving at the scene, a 23-year-old policeman and his partner discovered Mageshwaran lying unconscious.

When he regained consciousness, he directed vulgarities towards the officers and even spat on the policeman’s left arm. As a result, Mageshwaran was arrested.

Mageshwaran is set to be sentenced today (11 July)/