Healthcare Worker at NTFGH Sentenced to 15 Months Jail for Molesting Male Patient under False Medical Pretense

A male healthcare worker who worked at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH) was sentenced to 15 months in jail after being found guilty of molesting a male patient.

The judge ruled that the accused had abused his position as a healthcare worker by engaging in inappropriate behavior with a vulnerable patient under his care.

Here’s what happened.

The Case Details

The defendant, 36-year-old Danisha Nur Delisa Dewa, has shoulder-length hair and a feminine demeanour.

He faced one count of molestation but pleaded not guilty throughout the proceedings. After a full trial, he was convicted and sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment for his actions.

According to earlier reports, the defendant allegedly pressed a 23-year-old male patient’s left testicle three times on 27 Jan 2023 at around 2:30 PM at NTFGH.

At the time of the incident, the defendant worked as a basic care assistant at the hospital, a position that gave him access to patients in vulnerable situations.

The prosecution stated that the defendant molested the male patient under the pretext of checking vital signs, claiming it was a normal medical procedure.

They said the defendant pulled the curtains closed for privacy, asked the victim if he was wearing underwear to test his reaction, then molested him, claiming it was to check for pain as part of the medical process.

This false representation of medical necessity was central to the prosecution’s case.

Defendant’s Claims and Court Decision

The defendant denied all allegations, stating he never pulled the curtains, lifted the victim’s surgical gown, or pressed his testicles three times.

His defense hinged on the claim that the victim was “discriminating against homosexuals” and had falsely accused him because of his sexual orientation, suggesting the charges were motivated by prejudice rather than facts.

After hearing evidence from both sides, the judge found the defendant guilty of the charge.

The court then proceeded to sentencing submissions from both prosecution and defense.

The prosecution argued that the defendant had premeditated the crime, checking the victim’s vital signs without medical reason and lifting his surgical gown when there was no need to check if he was wearing underwear.

They also emphasized that the defendant betrayed the trust patients place in medical staff, making the victim believe his actions were part of a legitimate medical procedure until he later consulted a nurse about the incident.

The defendant had cleverly disguised his crime by asking if the victim felt pain, which not only startled the victim but left him feeling ashamed when discussing the incident afterward.

These factors, the prosecution contended, warranted a jail term of 15 to 18 months to reflect the seriousness of abusing a position of trust.

After considering all factors and the impact on the victim, the judge ultimately sentenced the defendant to 15 months in jail.