SINGAPORE: As a swimming coach, 34—year—old Edwin Yap Chian Eng
conducted his lessons in a most disturbing way — by asking his
student to dive into the pool and perform a sexual act.
He even threatened the boy, saying he would not be allowed home
until he did so.
The child failed to do so as he was out of breath, and midway
during the lesson, Yap again asked him to perform the same sexual
act.
For committing sexual offences against minors, the father of two
young boys was sentenced to 24 years’ jail and 24 strokes of the
cane on Friday.
Three months after being hired as a swimming coach in September
2008, Yap sexually exploited the victim during their lessons at the
latter’s condominium pool. During another swimming lesson in the
same year, Yap also forced the victim to massage his private
parts.
On a separate occasion in 2008, Yap met a then nine—year—old boy
on the staircase landing of an HDB flat. Yap told the boy to
perform oral sex on him and paid him S$5 for it. Yap also took out
his handphone to record the entire episode.
On three separate occasions in 2007 and 2008, the same victim
massaged Yap’s private parts and performed oral sex on him.
These events came to light after Yap’s six—year—old student
recounted his swimming lessons to his mother.
In a psychiatrist’s report heard in the High Court on Friday,
the six—year—old victim was said to be "angry, upset and
disappointed" as he knew that it is "not the right thing".
Deputy Public Prosecutor Shahla Iqbal cited the victims’ young
age, saying that "these victims are usually unable to put up any
defence against such an attack. There is, as such, a great need to
protect our young from such predatory sexual offenders".
She pointed out how Yap had abused his position of authority and
trust as a teacher, and had planned his offences right from the
start.
During the hearing, the fair and slightly chubby Yap looked
composed as the charges were read out against him. Several times,
he glanced at his wife who was seated in the public gallery.
Yap’s defence lawyer read out the mitigation plea by his wife,
saying that the accused had been a "responsible and caring person"
who provided financial support for the family. While describing Yap
as a "silent hero" who deserved a second chance, his wife
acknowledged that the couple had problems in their sex life.
When meting out punishment, Justice Kan Ting Chiu said Yap’s
offences against the two children were truly reprehensible, and
reprimanded him for betraying the trust placed in a figure of
authority.
"As someone who has young sons and provided for the family’s
welfare, did you consider the victim’s welfare?" asked Justice
Kan.
wah. imagine by the time he got released from jail he will
already be 58 years old..