Man on trial over alleged rape on Sentosa

Man on trial over alleged rape on Sentosa

A 26-year-old man went on trial in the High Court yesterday accused of raping a drunken partygoer on Siloso Beach.

Pram Nair, who was a Sentosa lifeguard at the time faces one count of raping the woman, then a 20-year-old relief teacher, at about 2.25am on May 6, 2012, on the beach near the Wave House restaurant and bar on the island. He also faces one count of sexual assault of the woman, who is now 23.

Nair, represented by Mr Peter Ong, is contesting both charges in a trial scheduled for 11 days.

Opening the prosecution's case yesterday, Deputy Public Prosecutor Bhajanvir Singh told the court the woman attended a beach party with a friend at Wave House on the night of May 5. She was introduced to Nair at the party, during which she drank various alcoholic beverages and became intoxicated.

At one point, Nair took her to the beach, where he sexually violated her , said the DPP. Two passers-by, who called the police after spotting Nair and the woman, are due to testify that she was trying to push him away.

Police officers who arrived at the scene found the woman motionless and foaming at the mouth.

Based on a description provided by the woman's friend, Nair was arrested. A sample of the woman's blood taken at the hospital was found to contain 159mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.

A pathologist will testify that the level at the time of the incident would have been between 219mg and 256mg per 100ml of blood. The legal limit for driving is 80mg per 100ml.

Forensic evidence will also be presented. Rape and sexual assault each carry up to 20 years' jail and caning or a fine.

The trial continues


This article was first published on Aug 26, 2015.
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