SINGAPORE: A 25-year-old man was jailed nine months
on Tuesday for touching the buttocks of a policewoman while she was
on duty.
Ilham Tumpang, a former part-time waiter, was found
guilty of outraging the modesty of the sergeant on New Year's Day
last year at Mandarin Gallery at Orchard Road.
The 29-year-old woman, along with two of her
colleagues, was responding to a call in the area.
The court heard in a two-day trial that the accused was walking by
when he bumped into her and touched her buttocks.
However, the accused disputed that and denied touching her.
According to Assistant Public Prosecutor Raja Mohan, the accused
did not apologise to the woman and was unremorseful.
He added that the man's "nonchalant attitude infuriated her" and
the incident caused her "deep emotional distress."
APP Mohan also told the court that the victim "couldn't accept that
being a policewoman in uniform, she got molested."
The court also heard that the man, who has a daughter, was tipsy
during the incident.
In his sentencing, District Judge Low Wee Ping said that there was
"a streak of arrogance" in the accused and agreed with APP Mohan
that he showed no remorse.
DJ Low also noted that the accused gave various versions of his
accounts which resulted in inconsistencies.
Court documents revealed that the accused is also currently serving
a jail term of 15 months since last December for theft of motor
vehicles.
For outrage of modesty, he could have been jailed up to two years
and fined and caned.
- CNA/fa
