Jail and caning for West Coast molester

SINGAPORE - A woman molested by a full-time national serviceman as she walked home from a meal with friends was so traumatised by her ordeal that she suffers nightmares almost every day.

Yesterday, her attacker was jailed for 21/2 years and ordered to be given three strokes of the cane.

Radin Rizwan Radin Rosman, 22, who faced three charges, admitted to pinning down the freelance graphic designer, who was 25 at the time, and groping her on a pathway in the West Coast area on March 17 this year.

He had sneaked out of his army camp and was cycling when he spotted his victim walking along a dark pathway, Deputy Public Prosecutor Mansoor Amir said.

After laying his bicycle on the grass, Radin followed her and just as she was about to reach her estate, he came from behind and hit her hard on the head, causing her to fall to the ground.

When she turned around to face him, he pinned her down and tried to pull her into the bushes. He also punched her several times, and when she screamed, he told her to "shut up".

Mr Mansoor said she put up a violent struggle while Radin was on top of her, but he managed to put his hand under her top and grope her. He also covered her mouth and nose with his hand to stop her from shouting and breathing but she managed to scratch his face and bite his right little finger in the struggle.

Radin pushed her head onto the ground twice. Her ordeal ended when he saw someone approaching and ran away. She was treated in hospital for cuts and bruises.

Police arrested Radin in a planned operation at Merpati Road four days later, after interviewing more than 100 households in the area.

Mr Mansoor told the court that Radin caused the victim to be scarred physically and emotionally. She had nightmares almost every day and must be accompanied wherever she goes.

Radin, who has previous convictions for attempted robbery and a drug-related offence, could have been jailed for up to 10 years and caned for aggravated outrage of modesty.

elena@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on July 10, 2014.
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