48-Year-Old Man Arrested & Charged For Molesting 17-Year-Old Girl On Bus In Toa Payoh

Imagine feeling afraid that every time you leave your house because someone could assault you because of who you are.

Imagine not being able to ride a bus or walk home alone without fear for your well-being.

Unfortunately, this is what it’s like to be a woman in most countries. Singapore is one of the safest countries for women in Asia, but that doesn’t mean sexual assault doesn’t occur.

The sad thing is that it’s been happening so often lately that we’re not even surprised anymore.

48-Year-Old Man Arrested & Charged For Molesting 17-Year-Old Girl On Bus In Toa Payoh

A 48-year-old man has been arrested after he allegedly molested a teenage girl on a bus in Toa Payoh in August.

The man was charged in court on Saturday (Sept 5) for his suspected involvement in a case of outrage of modesty.

On 28 Aug, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) received a report in the night around 10:10pm about a suspected case of molestation.

According to the report, the man had molested a 17-year-old girl while onboard a public bus along Toa Payoh Lorong 2.

Fortunately, officers from Tanglin Police Division managed to identify the accused and arrested him on 4 Sept.

The 48-year-old was charged in court the next day.

If convicted, he could face imprisonment of up to two years, a fine, caning, or any combination of these punishments, according to the Penal Code.

Third Sexual Offence in the Past Week

Two other offenders have been arrested in the past week for sexual offences, according to SPF’s website.

On 1 Sept, the police arrested a 17-year-old for his suspected involvement in three cases of sexual harassment.

The youth allegedly harassed victims in Pasir Ris.

On the same day, a 34-year-old man was arrested for his suspected involvement in a case of sexual exposure.

The man had allegedly exposed himself to a female victim by appearing naked in front of her near Sims Place on 25 August 2020.

Preventive Measures

In their press release, the police advised members of the public to adopt certain crime prevention measures, such as avoiding going out at night alone.

Other measures include:

• Being alert and attentive to your surroundings, especially when you are in a crowded and confined space or alone with a stranger that moves very near to you
• Heading to a crowded area if someone is following you
• Moving away when someone moves uncomfortably close to you (e.g. someone deliberately stands or sits close to you in a bus or MRT)
• Avoiding letting your young children wander around alone, and teaching them to be wary of strangers who try to get close to or touch them

Please be wary. These creeps seem to be everywhere.