Two Men Jailed for Assault of Intoxicated Woman in Hotel

 

Two men have been sentenced to significant prison terms for sexually assaulting an intoxicated woman in a hotel room in 2023 and subsequently attempting to obstruct justice. The High Court delivered the sentences on September 24 after convicting the men in July following a trial.

The first man, aged 50, was sentenced to 13 years and 10 months in prison. He was convicted on charges of molestation, sexual assault, and obstructing justice. As he is over the age of 50 and therefore exempt from caning under Singapore law, he will serve an additional six months in jail in lieu of 11 strokes of the cane.

The second man, aged 51, received a stiffer sentence of 18 years' imprisonment. He was convicted on six charges, including the more serious offence of rape, other sexual assault charges, possessing an intimate image of the victim without her consent, and obstructing justice. He will also serve an additional one year in jail in lieu of the maximum 24 strokes of the cane.

Both men are foreign nationals and long-time friends of about 20 years. The victim was a former subordinate of the first man. A gag order protects the identities of the men and the victim, including their professions and nationalities. The judge, Justice Hoo Sheau Peng, also ordered the men to compensate the victim approximately 3,700 Singapore dollars for expenses including medical treatment and counseling.

The assault occurred on February 26, 2023. The victim had been invited to a hotel room by her ex-colleague ahead of a dinner. After she arrived, the men offered her alcohol. The conversation turned sexual, making her uncomfortable, and she was plied with drinks until she began vomiting and lost consciousness. She testified to drifting in and out of awareness, recalling saying "no" multiple times but being unable to move or open her eyes. She woke up the next morning suspecting she had been raped and went to a hospital, which made a police report.

Justice Hoo condemned the actions of the men, noting it was "appalling" that they exploited the woman's vulnerable, intoxicated state despite their professional standing. She highlighted the group nature of the assault as a significant aggravating factor, which exponentially increases the victim's trauma and sense of helplessness. The judge rejected the defence's claim of consent, stating the men exploited the victim's vulnerability. She also found that their online searches after the incident, which included terms like "trick questions in rape cases" and "does shower after sex reduce dna testing," betrayed their "guilty minds." Both men have indicated they will appeal their sentences.