Man sentenced for sexually abusing minors in Singapore

A 25-year-old man in Singapore has been sentenced to 16 years in prison and 12 strokes of the cane for sexually abusing several minors. His identity is protected due to a court order. The man pleaded guilty to several serious charges, including the rape of a 13-year-old boy and sexual assault of a 14-year-old boy. The investigation began when a friend from the bus-spotting community reported the man to the police. This friend had learned from others about the abuse that had been occurring. The police started their investigation in October 2022, and the man was arrested shortly after. The court heard that the man gained the trust of his young victims through their shared interest in buses. One victim, only 14 at the time, was assaulted in his home after inviting the man over. Another victim, who was 13, was coerced into sending intimate photos and videos. He felt pressure from the man who became increasingly controlling and possessive. The man also recorded videos of a 21-year-old victim urinating without consent. The police recovered the video during their investigation. Prosecutors described the man as a "serial sexual predator" and stressed the serious harm his actions inflicted on the young victims. During sentencing, the judge acknowledged the impact on the victims, particularly one who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. The judge emphasized that such behavior is unacceptable and must be punished severely.