by Elena Chong
AN INDIAN national who molested a young hotel trainee was
sentenced to a week's jail and fined $3,000 on Thursday.
Businessman Udaya Kumar Purushottaman Chembottu, 50, admitted to
touching the 19-year-old on the shoulder, rubbing down her back to
stroke her buttock and slapping it at a four-star hotel in Little
India on Feb 6.
A district court heard that Chembottu was leaving the lounge
after dinner when he walked towards a 24-year-old employee, hugged
and kissed her.
This charge was taken into consideration by the court in
sentencing.
When the victim saw him coming towards her, and as she had seen
what he had done to the other staff member, she immediately lowered
her head and turned her face to avoid him. Chembottu molested
her.
Feeling very upset, helpless and angry, she ran into the pantry
area and cried. Chembottu, who is married with a daughter, could
have been jailed for up to two years or fined or caned or received
any combined punishment.
