A criminal trial has opened in the Singapore High Court involving a 36-year-old man accused of raping a work acquaintance after a birthday dinner in 2021. The accused, Jasper Lee Loong Kuan, is facing one charge of rape but has pleaded not guilty, claiming that the act was consensual.
The prosecution told the court that Lee and the alleged victim first met through the shipping industry. The woman, whose identity is protected under a gag order, was employed as a customer service officer liaising with shippers, while Lee was a client and managing director of his company. Their paths continued to cross over the years, and in September 2021, the pair arranged to celebrate their shared birthdays with dinner at a restaurant in VivoCity.
During the meal, they each had a glass of wine before finishing two bottles of red wine together. Prosecutors said CCTV footage captured the woman showing clear signs of alcohol intoxication, such as staggering and slurred speech. Dashboard camera recordings from Lee’s car reportedly revealed that the woman vomited and continued to show disorientation during the drive to her home, reported CNA.
Evidence in the Sexual Assault Case
Upon reaching her block, Lee supported the woman to the lift, as seen in CCTV and police camera footage. Once inside her unit, she allegedly tried to vomit in the toilet before lying down in her bedroom. The prosecution said the woman will testify that while she drifted in and out of consciousness, she became aware of Lee on top of her and attempted to push him away but was too weak.
Lee left her unit at around 9.50pm. Minutes later, the woman called the police, reporting that she had been raped. When officers arrived shortly after, they found her unclothed, crouching behind the front door, and visibly distressed. She was taken to hospital for examination, where medical tests later confirmed alcohol in her bloodstream.
The prosecution intends to rely on multiple forms of evidence, including CCTV, police body-worn camera footage, an audio recording of the emergency ‘999’ call, and the testimony of 31 witnesses. A senior consultant from the Institute of Mental Health is also expected to state that the woman was too intoxicated to consent.
Defence Argument and Possible Sentencing
Lee is represented by defence lawyers Gregory Fong and Johnathan Lee. His position is that the act was consensual, or alternatively, that he had mistakenly believed the woman had consented. A forensic pathologist has already testified about the impact of the victim’s blood alcohol levels on her capacity, with cross-examination to continue at the next hearing.
If convicted of rape, Lee could face up to 20 years in jail, along with caning or a fine. The case adds to the growing number of sexual assault trials being closely monitored in Singapore, highlighting how the courts assess issues of intoxication, consent, and criminal liability.
Image Source: LinkedIn