A 26-year-old man was sentenced to seven months in jail for molesting his neighbor after breaking into her condominium unit in the early hours of the morning. The offender, Erakkodan Abinraj, pleaded guilty to one charge of molestation, while an additional charge of housebreaking was taken into consideration for sentencing.
Erakkodan, an Indian national, had been living next door to the victim for about a year along with five colleagues. He was familiar with the victim, as they had encountered each other multiple times before.
The incident occurred on September 22, 2024, at around 4:50 a.m. Erakkodan entered his neighbor’s unit through the kitchen balcony, which was connected to his own apartment. Using the flashlight on his mobile phone for visibility in the dark, he wandered around the residence before making his way into the master bedroom.
At the time, the 36-year-old victim was asleep in bed with her husband, while their child was in another room. Erakkodan approached the victim and touched her underwear, causing her to wake up.
Initially, the victim was confused and assumed it was her husband. However, when she turned to her right, she saw Erakkodan standing there, holding his phone with the flashlight on. Startled, she immediately screamed, waking her husband.
The husband quickly confronted Erakkodan and ordered him to leave the room. Overcome with fear, Erakkodan urinated in the bedroom and pleaded not to be reported to the authorities. However, the victim proceeded to call the police.
When officers arrived, Erakkodan admitted to trespassing but initially denied molesting the victim. Instead, he claimed that his phone had accidentally fallen on her, which was what had woken her up.
During the court proceedings, the prosecution, led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Kathy Chu, argued for a jail term of between six and eight months. She emphasized that the crime took place in the victim’s home—a private space where she had the right to feel safe. Additionally, the fact that she was asleep at the time made her especially vulnerable.
Ms. Chu further pointed out that Erakkodan’s actions caused additional distress and inconvenience, particularly due to his urination in the victim’s unit.
Erakkodan’s defense lawyer, Ambalavanar Ravidass, requested a seven-month jail term, highlighting his client’s humble background in India. He also revealed that Erakkodan’s grandmother had died by suicide, suggesting that he may have been mentally disturbed at the time of the offense.
However, the prosecution countered this claim by referencing a report from the Institute of Mental Health, which did not diagnose Erakkodan with any mental condition. The defense then conceded that Erakkodan was not suffering from any clinical mental illness, but rather a form of “normal depression” brought on by his circumstances.
Ultimately, the court sentenced Erakkodan to seven months in jail. Under Singapore’s laws, molestation carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison, a fine, and caning.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of home security and personal safety, as well as the legal consequences for those who violate the privacy and security of others.
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