Skip to main content

Repairman Denies Assault Charges, Says Woman Made First Move

 



A 49-year-old man, Koh Lee Hwa, is currently on trial in Singapore for allegedly raping a woman who had hired him to repair electrical fixtures in her flat. The trial, which began earlier in the week, entered its third day on July 31, where Koh took the stand and denied all accusations of non-consensual activity. He claimed the sexual encounter was initiated by the woman and that the act was consensual, further asserting that the duration of the act slightly over 10 minutes was “too short” for it to have been rape. Koh made this comparison referencing his usual intimacy with his wife.

The alleged offences reportedly took place between 11.40am and 12.40pm on August 23, 2021. Koh, a Singapore permanent resident, faces multiple charges: one count of rape, one count of sexual assault by penetration, and two counts of outrage of modesty. The identity and age of the alleged victim have been redacted from court documents.

According to prosecution, Koh had been hired by the woman since 2015 to conduct various repair works at her flat. On August 21, 2021, she requested help to fix a faulty light and a kitchen switch. Koh carried out some repairs on August 22, and returned two days later to complete the work, bringing necessary components to fix the main circuit switchboard.

The woman alleged that Koh first hugged her without consent in the living room. Disturbed, she retreated to her bedroom and messaged two friends to inform them about the unsolicited hug. Later, while checking the switches near the master bedroom toilet, Koh allegedly pushed her against a dressing table and hugged her again. She reportedly tried to resist and asked him to stop, but he proceeded to rape her on the bed, ignoring her protests and even continuing after she bit him.

In court, Koh denied the initial unsolicited hug. He claimed that while they were outside the toilet in the master bedroom, the woman grabbed his arm and led him toward intimacy. Through a Mandarin interpreter, he recounted asking her, “What do you want?”, to which she allegedly replied with the same phrase. According to Koh, they began kissing, and the situation escalated rapidly, ending in sex. He said the woman made sounds of excitement, and the act was mutual.

When asked by Justice Mavis Chionh about any conversation during the encounter, Koh said there was none. He added that he pushed her away at one point because he didn’t want his family to find out about the affair. After the act, Koh claimed the woman uttered the word “money,” to which he responded “don’t have.” He said he wasn’t sure whether she was referring to a payment for the repairs or requesting money for another reason.

Koh went on to speculate that the woman might have been jealous because she saw him wearing a gold chain, a claim that prompted the judge to question its relevance. The prosecutor, Deputy Public Prosecutor Emily Koh, strongly contested his testimony, stating it was inconsistent with the messages the woman sent to her friends, which painted a clear picture of non-consensual physical contact.

Koh denied ever hugging the woman in the living room and insisted that the woman was the one who initiated the encounter. He maintained that the mood was mutual and claimed she was trying to entice him. He rejected the idea that she resisted or tried to push him away.

The trial concluded with Koh’s testimony. Both the prosecution and defense have been given four weeks to file written submissions and another week to submit replies. The court will deliver a verdict after reviewing the written arguments from both sides.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

New Punggol Northshore BTO Plagued by Water Seepage and Electrical Hazards

  ***Update: HDB, Maincon and Consultant has came down to the unit to check. Will update on status once we have more information. A Punggol Northshore BTO homeowner, who moved into his newly renovated flat in July 2024, has voiced frustration over severe water leakage issues that have left his unit unsafe and unlivable. Water has been observed seeping from an electrical powerpoint, with puddles forming on the floor and walls showing bubbling and signs of damage from moisture. The source of the leak appears to be an external wall adjacent to the master bedroom, according to assessments by the main contractor. However, the leakage has already caused significant damage to the flat's walls and paintwork, leaving the homeowner distressed. Adding to the frustration, the main contractor advised the homeowner to avoid using the affected power switches in the living room and bedroom due to the risk of a short circuit. Despite the warning, the homeowner has no choice but to turn on the light...

The Gateway to Singapore’s Digital Future, Punggol Coast MRT Station Opens Today!

  The Punggol Coast MRT station, the 17th station on the North East Line (NEL), officially opened on December 10, 2024. Located in the heart of the Punggol Digital District (PDD), it extends the NEL’s total length to 22 km and enhances accessibility for over 200,000 households within a 10-minute walk of an NEL station. Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, speaking at the launch, emphasized the station's role in transforming Punggol Town into a vibrant, connected, and sustainable hub. Travel time for Punggol North residents to Outram Park is now reduced to 45 minutes, down from 60 minutes. Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat highlighted the foresight in planning Singapore’s transport infrastructure, such as provisions made two decades ago for the Cross Island Line interchange at Punggol MRT station. This long-term approach underscores Singapore’s commitment to future generations. The station integrates seamlessly with PDD, a 50-hectare smart and sustainable district focusing on digital indus...

Crackdown on Illegal Ride-Hailing with 4 Drivers Caught in LTA Operation

  In a recent operation conducted by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Singapore, four drivers were caught and had their vehicles impounded for providing illegal ride-hailing services. These unauthorized services operated both within Singapore and across the border to Malaysia, posing significant risks to passengers. The LTA has issued a stern warning to the public, advising against using such illegal services due to the lack of proper licensing and insurance, which can leave passengers vulnerable in the event of accidents. The operation underscores LTA’s commitment to ensuring the safety and regulation of ride-hailing services in Singapore. Drivers caught offering illegal ride-hailing services without a valid Public Service Vehicle (PSV) Licence face severe penalties, including fines of up to $3,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both. These measures are in place to deter unlicensed operators and protect passengers from potential harm. Illegal ride-hailing services oft...