SINGAPORE: A 55-year-old man has pleaded guilty to
four charges of committing sexual offences that include outraging
the modesty of primary school girls.
Ng Ban Keong would carry a thermometer, surgical
gloves or what seemed like a stethoscope to make it look like he
was a real doctor.
He then used this modus operandi to commit sexual
offences against pre-pubescent girls over a period of six years
from 2004.
Ng, who was accompanied by six family members, pleaded guilty on
Friday to four charges, with six charges to be taken into
consideration during sentencing. Two other charges have been
withdrawn.
The charges he faces include outraging the modesty of a 10 year old
and two 11 year olds between September 2004 and May 2010 at a
staircase landing in Clementi and at the Golden Landmark Shopping
Centre.
Ng had also apparently forced a nine year old to perform oral sex
on him on 26 October 2009 at Sims Drive. For this offence, he could
be jailed up to 20 years and caned.
For outraging the modesty of two of the girls, Ng can be jailed for
up to two years and fined on each charge.
For the third charge of molest, he faces an imprisonment of up to
five years and a fine.
In her submissions, deputy public prosecutor Gail Wong told the
court that while the accused has no previous convictions, he preyed
specifically on girls aged nine to 12, primarily because they were
vulnerable.
DPP Wong stressed that the court must protect young children from
sexual exploitation. She added that Ng was old enough to be the
girls' father and that was an aggravating factor.
According to a medical report, Ng's repetitive acts against young
girls showed that he has a specific sexual interest in them and
that he liked to exploit them.
As Ng is above the age of 50, he is spared the cane. But DPP Wong
noted that the court can order a jail term of up to a year in lieu
of that. So she urged the court to put Ng away in jail for 12
years.
Ng, who is represented by defence lawyer Subhas Anandan, will be
sentenced at a later date.
Mr Subhas is expected to submit his mitigation when the court next
meets.
- CNA/al
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