Molester found to have low IQ spared jail, gets probation

Molester found to have low IQ spared jail, gets probation

A young man who molested five girls over four months was yesterday spared jail and given probation instead.

But the prosecution has sought a stay of execution of the probation order granted to Ng Lin Kun, 21, as it is reviewing the case to see if there is an appeal.

Ng, who is married, was under 20 years of age when he molested five girls in Jurong West and Choa Chu Kang housing estates between March and July last year.

After Ng, a warehouse assistant, pleaded guilty to three of the five charges in June, the court called for probation and reformative training reports.

Probation was initially not recommended and Ng was found suitable for reformative training, which can mean 18 months to three years behind bars. But probation was recommended after he was assessed and found to have low intellect with an IQ of 75, placing him in the borderline of intellectual disability.

The prosecution had wanted him to be sentenced to reformative training in view of aggravating factors, such as the pre-meditated nature of the offences.

The court heard earlier that on March 9 last year, Ng tried to chat up a 10-year-old girl and asked if he could hug her.

When she declined and walked away, he grabbed her from behind, pulled her close to a rubbish chute area and molested her. She struggled and broke free.

The following month, he was in the same lift as a Seconday 2 student when he tried to befriend her.

She ignored him but, before she could walk away, he hugged her, grabbed her breast and kissed her on the cheek.

In the third case on July 31, he saw a 17-year-old polytechnic student going home from school, and waited at the lift lobby to see if she would return there. She saw him hanging about the area but ignored him and walked to her flat.

After leaving her bag at home, she went back downstairs to check her letter box.

Ng followed her into the lift after that and tried to befriend her. She said "No".

He then molested her. She immediately screamed and shouted for help.

Two other charges involving two other girls were taken into consideration during sentencing.

District Judge Ng Peng Hong ordered Ng, represented by Mr Anil Singh Sandhu, to undergo 24 months' probation, remain indoors from 11pm to 6am, perform 180 hours of community service and continue with his counselling treatment.

His parents and wife signed a $5,000 bond to ensure his good behaviour.


This article was first published on Nov 11, 2014.
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