THREE days after he molested his young Indonesian maid, National Environment Agency supervisor Lee Song Koi (right), 46, cancelled her work permit and tried to send her home.

His wife then took the 21-year-old domestic help to the airport but the cops, acting on a frantic call from the maid's cousin, intercepted and stopped the maid from taking her flight home at Terminal 2.

Lee, a secretary of the Punggol Angsana Residents' Committee, was sentenced to 10 months' jail and three strokes of the cane on Tuesday for molest.

He is appealing against his sentence and has been granted bail of $15,000.

Lee, admitted earlier to lying on top of the maid and kissing her all over at his flat on July 7 last year.

The court heard that the domestic help was sleeping in her bedroom when she was awakened by Lee forcing himself on her and kissing her on the face.

He lifted her T-shirt and brassiere to her neck level while the victim struggled and told him to stop.

He ignored her and continued molesting her. He also told her not to tell anyone before leaving the room.

Three days later following a 999 call about the molestation, airport police were alerted and managed to find the victim with Lee's wife at Terminal 2, Changi Airport.

Two other charges of hugging the victim the same day were taken into consideration.

Mr Subhas Anandan said his client, who has two children, had paid $5,000 as compensation to the victim.

Lee had returned from a dinner and dance when he committed the offence.

He could have been jailed for up to two years or fined or caned or received any two such punishments for the offence.