Construction worker jailed for molesting girl, 12

A bangladeshi construction worker who molested a 12-year-old girl while carrying out toilet upgrading work at her flat was jailed for four months on Thursday.

Sheikh Rubel Hossen Sheikh Ismail, 27, admitted touching and stroking the girl's left calf at her Woodlands flat on June 9.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Jeremy Lua told the court that the victim was at home using the computer when she let Rubel in to check the kitchen toilet, as part of the block's toilet upgrading scheme.

She was at home with her sister, who was asleep in her room.

About 10 minutes later, Rubel approached the victim and said he was downloading something on his mobile phone. She ignored him.

He then tried to chat with her, asking about her age and how much her computer and mobile phone cost.

He moved closer, squatted next to her, and touched her.

Scared, she went into her room, and emerged only after he had left, to lock the gate.

Rubel came back 10 minutes later and persuaded her into letting him in again.

He tried to talk to her but she did not know what he was saying.

This time, she called a friend for help.

When Rubel asked her to put the phone down, she went to her sister's room and woke her up, and he left.

Police were informed.

Rubel could have been jailed for up to five years, fined and caned for using criminal force to outrage the modesty of a person aged below 14.

This article was first published on July 12, 2014.
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