$6k fine for bid to plant 'birthday kiss'

A 58-year-old man was fined $6,000 yesterday for molesting his stepdaughter by trying to give her a "birthday kiss".

The hotel supervisor admitted to placing his hand on the 25-year-old woman's shoulder and attempting to kiss her at his Sengkang flat on Jan 16 last year.

None of the parties can be named to protect the identity of the victim.

The court heard that shortly after the victim, her mother and stepfather had returned home from shopping, the mother and daughter searched the master bedroom for a bottle of perfume they had purchased.

But there was no sign of it. The mother then left the room to attend to a call.

A while later, the accused called out to the victim and said he knew where the missing bottle of perfume was.

The victim entered the room and noticed that he did not have the perfume with him. He then placed his arm over her shoulder and told her not to be angry.

At the same time, he pulled her towards him and tried to kiss her on the cheek, saying that it was a "birthday kiss". The victim pushed him away and walked off.

The accused, who has three grown-up children from his first marriage, and the victim's mother are currently undergoing divorce proceedings. He married the victim's mother after the death of his wife.

Another charge of molesting the stepdaughter when she was 18 was considered during sentencing.

He had put his left arm around her waist, and used his right hand to caress her leg.

This article by The Straits Times and Shin Min Daily News was published in MyPaper, a free, bilingual newspaper published by Singapore Press Holdings.

Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.