Individual convicted for statutory rape, involving a 13-year-old girl, receives prison sentence and physical punishment with a cane
In Singapore, a 30-year-old bus driver was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment and six strokes of the cane on July 25, 2022, for committing statutory rape against a 13-year-old girl. The offence took place over several months, with the bus driver abusing his position of authority and trust.
The incident began when the driver and the girl followed each other on Instagram and started chatting. Their conversations continued, and around a week into their daily exchanges, the offender asked the girl out on a date. The pair met almost every day after the bus driver's shift, until early 2022.
It was only in around June 2022 that the girl called one of her aunts and asked to be taken to lodge a police report. The victim's mother was only informed about what had happened a day before the report was lodged. All parties cannot be named due to a gag order protecting the victim's identity.
The man pleaded guilty to one count of statutory rape, with another six charges taken into consideration. He was found guilty of having sexual intercourse with the girl, who was 13 years old at the time, in a rented car in a multi-storey car park on Dec 9, 2021.
Under Section 375 of the Penal Code, statutory rape refers to sexual intercourse with a female under the age of 14, regardless of whether consent was given, which is considered an offence by law. The legal age of consent for sexual activity in Singapore is 16 years old; any sexual activity with someone below that age may also be treated as an offence under other sexual offences provisions.
In cases involving a bus driver and a minor, the context is particularly serious because the driver holds a position of authority and trust, which may aggravate the offence as an abuse of power or position. If the victim is under 14, the charge would be statutory rape under the Penal Code Section 375. If the victim is under 16 but above 14, the offence might be charged under other sexual offences or under the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults laws that provide protections and penalties for sexual exploitation or abuse of minors.
Penalties could include long-term imprisonment, caning, and other sentencing enhancements due to the position of trust or authority. For statutory rape, an offender can be jailed for up to 20 years and fined or caned.
The prosecutors sought eight to nine years' jail and six strokes of the cane for the bus driver, but he was ultimately sentenced to eight years' imprisonment and six strokes of the cane. This sentence reflects the seriousness of the offence and the need to protect minors from exploitation and abuse.
This case serves as a reminder that any misuse of a position of responsibility is a serious criminal offence in Singapore, with heavy prison sentences and corporal punishment under the law. It is crucial for individuals in positions of authority to uphold their responsibilities and protect those who are vulnerable, especially minors.
- The incident involving the bus driver, who was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment and six strokes of the cane, sheds light on the severe consequences of committing sexual offenses, particularly in the realm of health-and-wellness and sexual-health.
- Despite the man's guilty plea to statutory rape, it's crucial to raise awareness about the importance of understanding science and the law in cases such as this, as it helps to recognize the severity of such actions and protect minors from exploitation and abuse.
