A lieutenant-colonel in the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) was sentenced to four weeks’ imprisonment on March 19, 2023, for molesting a female student in a Nanyang Technological University (NTU) dormitory in 2022, according to the Straits Times.
Neo Aik Chiao, 47, pleaded guilty to one count each of molestation and criminal trespass, with another criminal trespass charge considered during sentencing.
Trespassed into level which are only for female students
Neo, who had piloted helicopters including the Chinook, entered the 21-year-old victim’s room, located on a floor reserved for female students, following a gag order on the victim’s name and the specific location of the incident to protect her identity.
The Ministry of Defence suspended Neo from all duties and would assess the eventual findings before determining further action.
Defense Lawyers said Neo went to ‘seek comfort’ at NTU
Neo’s lawyers, Sunil Sudheesan and Joyce Khoo from Quahe Woo & Palmer, explained that their client sought emotional comfort at NTU, his alma mater, due to its familiarity and fond memories. Neo had been in a low mood since his godfather’s death in June 2022.
Before committing the offences, Neo had consumed beer and intended to visit his godfather’s home for solace but ended up at NTU instead.
Tried to use $1000 to test the xmm’s morals
At approximately 2 am on November 13, 2022, the victim was lying on her bed when she heard a knock. Neo opened the door before she could react, entered the room without permission, and sat on the bed. He asked for a drink and directions to specific halls, eventually proposing that the student accompany him for $1,000.
The victim, feeling uncomfortable, rejected Neo’s offer and told him to leave. Neo, however, touched her left thigh and arm, leading the victim to push him away and shout for him to leave.
Neo then claimed he could not open the locked door, but left when the student took out her phone to call a friend. The student reported the incident to campus security and the police.
A report from the Institute of Mental Health revealed that Neo was intoxicated during the offence.
The report suggested a potential connection between his intoxication and the loss of restraint that led to the crime.
However, it was also stated that Neo was of sound mind at the time of the offence.
On March 19, 2023, the court backdated Neo’s sentence to his arrest and accounted for the 16 days he had spent in remand.
Neo is expected to be released in approximately a week’s time.