The incident occurred on February 26, 2020, when the woman, who had been clubbing with friends, got into Noorandy’s car after realizing she had lost her phone. She had previously met Noorandy, who worked as a private-hire driver with Ryde, outside a club several months prior. He would occasionally drive her and her friends when they went club-hopping.
On the fateful night, the woman was heavily intoxicated and asked Noorandy to drive her home. However, instead of taking her home, he drove her to a deserted car park in Kranji, where he pulled up her skirt, took photos of her private parts, and sent them to his friends. He then raped her, only stopping when he thought he saw a police car.
The woman, who was still unconscious during the ordeal, woke up when the engine was switched off and realized she was not at her home address. She was too weak to push Noorandy away and only managed to tell him to stop. After the incident, Noorandy bragged to his friend about his actions, saying he had been “lucky” and that the woman was too drunk to know what was happening.
The case is a stark reminder of the dangers of trusting strangers, especially those who are supposed to be providing a service. As a private-hire driver, Noorandy was in a position of trust, and his actions were a gross abuse of that trust. The fact that he had previously driven the woman and her friends around made her feel comfortable getting into his car, which ultimately led to her vulnerability.
The court’s decision to sentence Noorandy to 11 years in jail and nine strokes of the cane is a welcome one, as it sends a strong message that such actions will not be tolerated in Singapore. The case also highlights the importance of being aware of one’s surroundings, especially when intoxicated, and the need to be cautious when getting into cars with strangers.
In addition, the case raises questions about the safety measures in place for private-hire drivers and their passengers. While Ryde, the company Noorandy worked for, has since terminated his services, more needs to be done to ensure that drivers are properly vetted and trained to handle situations like this.
Ultimately, the case is a tragic reminder of the dangers that lurk in our society, and the need for us to be vigilant and aware of our surroundings at all times. It is also a call to action for us to demand more from our service providers, including private-hire companies, to ensure that their drivers are trustworthy and safe.