Former Wah!Banana actor and TikToker Lev Panfilov has been sentenced to 11 years and six months in jail, along with 12 strokes of the cane.
The punishment was meted out on 19 May 2025.
The 29-year-old Singapore permanent resident, originally from Russia, was found guilty by the High Court of two counts of rape, one count of sexual assault by penetration, and one count of outrage of modesty.
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Justice Pang Khang Chau had previously convicted Panfilov in March after he claimed trial to all four charges against him.
The victim’s identity is protected by a gag order.
Tinder Meet-up Leads to Sexual Assault in Accused’s Bedroom
The assault took place on 12 January 2021 in Panfilov’s bedroom after they had met earlier at a Wine Connection restaurant in Robertson Quay.
The victim, who was 30 years old at the time, worked as a model-actress and was trying to branch out into comedy writing.
She had matched with Panfilov on Tinder and moved their chat to WhatsApp before arranging to meet in person.
The woman testified that his Tinder profile indicated he was a writer or scriptwriter, and she hoped to get advice from him.
After working on her script at the restaurant, Panfilov suggested continuing at his place when the restaurant was closing.
The two went to his flat separately—Panfilov rode his motorcycle while the woman took a Grab car.
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At his flat, he ushered her into his bedroom where they sat on his bed to watch comedians on YouTube.
The victim stated that Panfilov suddenly kissed her on the lips, and she told him “no” and gathered her things to leave.
He then sexually assaulted her on his bed.
Flight Risk and Opposing Accounts Marked High-Profile Trial
During his sentencing, the prosecution sought 14 years’ jail and 16 strokes of the cane for Panfilov.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Sheldon Lim noted that the harm caused to the victim was both physical and mental.
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The prosecution argued that Panfilov “prolonged his trial unnecessarily” by subjecting the victim to a “marathon” 13 days of cross-examination.
They also pointed out that Panfilov had tried to leave Singapore midway through the trial without court permission.
On 9 December 2023, he was stopped at Changi Airport Terminal 1 while attempting to use his new Russian passport to board a flight.
As a result, Panfilov, who was on bail until that point, was arrested and remanded in custody.
Supposedly Consensual
Defense lawyer Sameer Melber from Gabriel Law Corporation asked for 10 years and five months’ jail with six strokes of the cane.
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Mr Melber argued that all offences resulted from a “single continuous act” that took place in two hours.
The defense claimed the woman had ended up on Panfilov’s bed “of her own volition” and that the events were “spontaneous and occurred in the heat of the moment.”
Panfilov did not deny having sex with the woman but claimed the encounter was consensual.
He claimed she made the first advances—laughing at his jokes, tapping on his leg, and stroking his thigh.
Justice Pang found the woman to be an “unusually convincing” witness who gave a detailed account that was internally and externally consistent.
The judge found Panfilov was not a credible witness and noted significant inconsistencies between his statements to police officers, his video-recorded interviews, and his court testimony.
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Police Report
Still in pain from the assault, the victim saw a doctor on 16 January 2021, who advised her to make a police report.
She went to a neighborhood police center and spoke to several officers but left without lodging a report.
Around midnight on 18 January 2021, she told her mother what had happened.
Her mother took her to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, and a police report was filed.
The high-profile verdict in March attracted controversial comments from former Law Society of Singapore vice-president Chia Boon Teck, which were perceived as victim-shaming.
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His comments drew backlash from the public and legal fraternity, with the Law Society asking him to resign.
Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam also weighed in, stating that “shaming and blaming victims steps over the line.”
Panfilov, who intends to get married later this year and continue his university education while in prison, will be appealing against his conviction and sentence.
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