A PEOPLE'S Action Party grassroots leader who molested a
14-year-old girl in a hotel room two years ago was fined $2,000 on
Wednesday.
David Chee Dah Wei, 29, an insurance agent, pleaded guilty to
hugging the girl at a hotel in Upper Serangoon Road at about 3am on
June 4, 2007.
A district court heard that the victim, who is now 16,
befriended Chee in 2006. He was then vice-chairman of the Paya
Lebar Kovan youth executive committee.
On June 4, 2007 at around 1am, the victim was out with Chee at a
bowling centre.
Her father had been trying to get her to go home but she
refused.
She followed Chee around. He subsequently took her to Hotel 81
Kovan at about 3am.
While surfing the Internet at the corner of the bed, he hugged
her from behind. She pushed him away because she was scared and
uncomfortable with his actions.
Earlier that day, she had seen a packet of condoms inside his
backpack, said Deputy Public Prosecutor Lynda Lee.
She subsequently left the hotel with two of her friends who came
to the hotel to look for her.
Pleading for a fine, Mr Chung Ping Shen said the act was minor,
and the incident occurred wiithout any premeditation on his
part.
He urged District Judge Roy Neighbour to consider his client's
excellent record in serving the community and his involvement in
various grassroots activities.
Chee could have been jailed for up to two years or fined or
caned or received any two of such punishments.
--ST