Former Private-Hire Driver Jailed 17 Months for Sexually Assaulting Unconscious Teen Passenger in Singapore

A 60-year-old former private-hire driver has been sentenced to 17 months’ imprisonment after he sexually assaulted and photographed an unconscious 16-year-old girl he was supposed to be ferrying home safely in the early hours of the morning. The case has drawn significant public attention, shining a spotlight on passenger safety within Singapore’s ride-hailing industry and raising serious questions about the responsibilities of drivers operating within digital transport platforms.

Daniel Ong Soo Eng, who was working as a Gojek driver at the time of the offence, was a married father of two when he committed the act. His victim, a teenager who had left a party heavily intoxicated, had booked a ride in the early hours of 26 February 2022, expecting to be taken home without incident.

The girl fell asleep during the journey and remained completely unconscious when Ong arrived at her destination at approximately 3:03am. Rather than ensuring she was safely delivered home, the accused parked along Lorong 19 in the Geylang area, where he proceeded to exploit her defenceless state.

A Calculated Abuse of Trust

According to court documents, Ong stated that he “looked at the victim and thought that she looked sexy” — words that laid bare the predatory nature of his intent. He then used his mobile phone to photograph and record the teenager whilst she remained unaware. Over the course of roughly 19 minutes, he repeatedly adjusted her clothing — a white strapless tube dress — to expose her body before proceeding to molest her.

At around 3:30am, whilst in the process of recording a video, Ong used his fingers to sexually assault her. The prosecution described the degree of sexual intrusion as extremely high, noting that the victim was particularly vulnerable given her heavily intoxicated state and young age.

The court also highlighted that Ong captured images which included identifiable features of the victim, including her face and a tattoo — details that the prosecution characterised as especially degrading, as the footage was retained so that he could use it for his own gratification at a later time.

How the Crime Came to Light

The offence only came to the attention of authorities weeks later, and entirely by coincidence. On 7 April 2022, Ong visited a police station to file a report regarding a traffic accident he had been involved in near Woodlands Avenue 12. In attempting to show the investigating sergeant photographs of the accident, he handed over his mobile phone.

Whilst browsing through the device’s media gallery, the sergeant came across obscene material, including a video clearly showing Ong in the act of molesting the young victim. The sergeant proceeded to assist Ong with his accident report before then inviting him to be interviewed by officers regarding the disturbing content found on his phone. Ong was subsequently arrested on the same day and his device was seized as evidence.

The manner in which the case was uncovered serves as a stark reminder that digital evidence, once captured, can surface unexpectedly — and that perpetrators of such crimes rarely escape justice entirely.

Sentencing and Legal Proceedings

Ong pleaded guilty to one count of outrage of modesty. Two additional charges — relating to voyeurism and the recording of obscene material — were taken into consideration during sentencing. The High Court ultimately imposed a sentence of 17 months’ imprisonment, sitting at the upper end of the range proposed by the prosecution.

Because Ong is above the age of 50, he is exempt from caning under Singapore law. In lieu of four strokes of the cane, two additional months were added to his sentence — a legal provision designed to ensure that older offenders do not escape proportionate punishment on account of age alone.

Industry Implications and the Court’s Strong Message

The defence had appealed for leniency, citing the personal consequences Ong had already suffered as a result of his actions. His legal counsel noted that his marriage had broken down, that he had been separated from his wife and daughter, lost his employment, and his home. Whilst these are undeniably serious personal repercussions, the court was unmoved in its determination to impose a firm sentence.

The prosecution firmly maintained that the case represented an opportunistic assault by a private-hire driver against a defenceless, inebriated passenger — conduct that merits a stiff custodial sentence. The High Court echoed this sentiment, stating that “a strong message has to be sent out to those working in the public transport sector,” adding that behaviour which takes advantage of vulnerable commuters will not be tolerated.

This case has broader implications for the ride-hailing and digital transport industry in Singapore and across the region. As platforms such as Gojek and Grab continue to grow, passenger safety — particularly for women travelling alone at night — remains a critical concern. For consumers seeking personal injury legal advice, criminal justice information, or guidance on digital safety and ride-hailing platform accountability, this case underscores the importance of robust vetting processes and in-app safety features that transport technology companies must continue to develop and enforce.

The victim, who was entirely unaware of what had been done to her at the time of the assault, deserved nothing less than to be delivered home safely. That basic duty of care was catastrophically and criminally violated.