SINGAPORE: A High Court judge on Thursday sentenced
a man who raped a teenager in the back of a lorry to 12 years' jail
and 12 strokes of the cane.
The 40 year old had been convicted of rape in August
this year, which happened in 2010 when the girl was 13 years
old.
He had got the girl's 17-year-old ex-boyfriend, who
was also his neighbour, to invite her for drinks.
The accused then drove them to Kranji, where the girl was plied
with orange juice and vodka.
The girl then became intoxicated and drowsy.
When her ex-boyfriend fell asleep, the man raped her.
The boy also had sex with her when he woke up.
He too was found guilty by a district court, and sent to
reformative training late last year.
In court on Thursday, Deputy Public Prosecutor Adrian Loo said that
the accused should receive a severe sentence because of a number of
aggravating factors.
Firstly, she was a child at the time of the rape, and that the
accused was almost three times her age.
He was aware of her youth because she was wearing her school
uniform at the time of the incident.
Secondly, his act was premeditated.
Mr Loo said that the man had got the girl's ex-boyfriend to invite
her for drinks, knowing she had no reason to reject the
invitation.
Thirdly, he had degraded the victim.
He had given her $5 and left her sleeping in the back of the truck
when she could not get up.
Also, the man had not shown remorse for his actions.
He had claimed trial and did not spare the victim the agony of
reliving the trauma.
In fact, prosecutors had difficulty getting her to agree to take
the stand.
During that trial, the accused represented himself - and maintained
that he was either at home or at a neighbour's home at the time of
the rape.
However, his 18-year-old son and 65-year-old neighbour that he
called on to testify were unable to give credible evidence to
support this.
Forensic evidence also revealed that semen found on the girl's
clothing belonged to the accused.
In delivering the sentence for rape, Justice Choo Han Teck also
sentenced the man to two months' jail for driving the lorry without
possessing a valid driving licence.
The sentences will run concurrently.
The accused has 16 other charges, that include traffic offences and
sexual assault, which the prosecution will apply to have sent back
to the district court to be handled there.
His lawyer Mr Gopinath Pillai, who was assigned by the Criminal
Legal Aid Scheme, said the man is likely to appeal his conviction
and sentence.
None of his family members were in court.
- CNA/xq
