A 20-year-old Police NSF molested a woman by touching her private parts, before receiving his national service posting to a police division 3 months later.
However, instead of reporting for duty, the NSF forged several medical certificates (MCs) and went absent without leave, according to The Straits Times.
The 20-year-old perpetrator cannot be named due to a court order to protect the victim’s identity, and he pleaded guilty on Wednesday (24 April) to charges of molestation, forgery, and a violation of the Police Force Act.
According to Deputy Public Prosecutor Yvonne Poon, “Investigations revealed that the accused avoided going to work due to his deep shame regarding the ongoing investigations into his offenses, and he simply wished to remain at home.”
The man and the 21-year-old victim were classmates during their secondary school years from 2015 to 2018. They reconnected in September 2021 through social media and grew closer as friends.
DPP Poon stated, “The victim considered him to be one of her closest friends and confided in him about various aspects of her life, including work and dates with individuals she met through social media and dating apps. Their relationship was strictly platonic, and both parties were aware of this.”
On July 17, 2022, they spent the night at a friend’s residence. While the woman was asleep, the offender, who was lying beside her, inappropriately touched her private areas. She woke up in shock.
She refused to engage with him, wrapping a blanket around herself and turning away as she used her phone to book a ride home.
Later, she disclosed the incident to a male acquaintance, who promptly informed the police around 6 am the following day. The offender was subsequently apprehended.
Court records do not provide details of subsequent events, but on October 21, 2022, he was assigned to a police division and expected to commence his national service duties there.
According to DPP Poon, the offender’s supervisor was aware of the ongoing investigations into his offences. However, following his posting, the offender frequently claimed to be unwell and irregularly reported for work.
He disregarded requests from his supervisor to submit his MCs and provide documentation for his absences.
On February 22, 2023, the supervisor visited the offender’s residence to retrieve the MCs but discovered that the documents did not cover multiple days that month.
The offender alleged that he had accidentally discarded the physical copies of the MCs.
Subsequently, on February 28, he forwarded the MCs with altered dates to the supervisor via WhatsApp.
The court has ordered assessments to determine the offender’s suitability for probation and reformative training.
Young offenders undergoing reformative training are detained in a facility where they follow a strict routine that may involve physical drills and counselling.
The case has been adjourned until June 19,