Singapore – Tan Boon Seng, 40, was sentenced to eight years’ jail and 10 strokes of the cane on March 16 for sexually assaulting a friend at his flat in June 2024. The victim, a 30-year-old woman visiting from overseas, had met Tan, a friend of over 10 years, for dinner and drinks.
Details of the Assault
The court heard that the woman stayed overnight at Tan’s flat, which was undergoing renovation at the time, after they had consumed alcohol. At approximately 3:00 AM, Tan attempted to hug the woman, but she pushed him away. Later, around 5:00 AM, as she prepared to leave, Tan initiated unwanted physical contact, leading to a struggle.
Tan restrained the woman and sexually assaulted her despite her resistance. Following the assault, Tan booked a private-hire vehicle for her and waited with her until it arrived. The woman filed a police report on July 4, 2024.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Rimplejit Kaur informed the court that the victim experienced significant emotional distress following the assault, including panic attacks, insomnia and paranoia. She sought counselling to cope with the trauma and expressed feelings of self-blame and disappointment.
Sentencing and Deferral
Tan pleaded guilty to one charge of sexual assault by penetration and one charge of aggravated outrage of modesty. Three additional charges – attempted rape, sexual assault by penetration, and outrage of modesty – were considered during sentencing.
Justice Gill considered the force used by Tan, the injuries sustained by the woman, and the psychological harm inflicted upon her. The judge granted Tan’s request to defer the start of his sentence to spend additional time with his family. Tan is required to surrender to the State Courts on March 24.
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the woman staying overnight at Tan’s flat?
The woman decided to stay over as there was no public transport available at the time and she did not desire to take a private-hire vehicle home, which was a distance away from Punggol.
What other charges were considered during sentencing?
Three other charges were taken into consideration: one each for attempted rape, sexual assault by penetration and outrage of modesty.
When did the victim report the assault to the police?
The woman lodged a police report regarding the sexual assault on July 4, 2024.
How can we better support survivors of sexual assault and promote a culture of respect and consent?
