The night took a distressing turn for a 21-year-old British national as she experienced a harrowing ordeal near a Turf Club Road restaurant in Singapore.
The assailant, identified as Indian national Erugula Eswara Reddy, subjected the victim to molestation after carrying her away from the premises.
He was sentenced on 19 January to 4 years imprisonment and 6 strokes of the cane.
The incident unfolded on the evening of August 20, 2022, leaving the victim traumatized and in need of immediate police intervention, according to The Straits Times.
Background:
In the lead-up to the incident, the woman had been enjoying a night out with friends at the Festivo @ Mr Gallop restaurant. The atmosphere, initially filled with merrymaking, took a dark turn when Erugula approached the victim, making her uncomfortable. Despite her protests and pleas, the situation escalated as Erugula lifted her off her chair, carried her out of the establishment, and proceeded to a nearby field.
Sequence of Events:
- Initial Encounter:
- The victim, feeling tipsy but still aware of her surroundings, had engaged in drinks with friends.
- Erugula approached her in the restaurant, causing discomfort, and persisted despite her objections.
- Abduction to the Field:
- Erugula lifted the victim off her chair, carrying her out of the restaurant against her will.
- The victim, unable to see where they were headed, pleaded with Erugula to release her.
- Assault and Molestation:
- In the nearby field, Erugula laid the victim on the ground, undressed himself, and molested her.
- The victim, in a state of distress, managed to use her mobile phone to seek help from a friend.
- Intervention and Arrest:
- The concerned friend, alerted by the victim’s distress messages, initiated a search for her.
- Discovering Erugula without any clothes on and the victim partially dressed in the field, the friend called the police, leading to Erugula’s arrest.
Legal Proceedings:
On January 19, 2024, Erugula pleaded guilty to a molestation charge and received a sentence of four years’ imprisonment and six strokes of the cane. The court considered the vulnerability of the victim and the intentional taking advantage of her intoxicated state by the assailant.