A 33-year-old Indian-origin man was sentenced to 19 months’ jail by a Singapore court for molesting his friend’s younger sister more than a decade ago.
The offences occurred when the victim was between seven and nine years old and the accused, identified as Melvinder Singh Gurmit Singh, was aged 19 to 21.
Singh contested two counts of molestation, asserting among other things that the girl had kissed him consensually and accusing her of seeking revenge.
The girl did not report the incidents earlier because she believed no one would believe her. She told the court the molestation affected her ability to give and receive physical affection.
She lodged a police report in March 2023 after separately revealing the molestation to her mother and to her boyfriend.
The court found Singh guilty and imposed a 19-month jail term. The prosecution had sought a sentence of 20 to 22 months, arguing that Singh had exploited a young victim and betrayed the trust placed in him by the victim and her family.
Singh said he will appeal against his conviction and sentence.
Under Singapore law, each count of molesting a minor carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, a fine, caning, or any combination of these.
