Short detention... sigh..
A Nanyang Technological University (NTU) student who peered at a man while he was showering was given a two-week detention order on Thursday, July 28.
Xu Ziye, 22 years old, pled guilty to two charges of voyeurism and having obscene videos, with punishment for a third act of criminal trespass pending.
The identity and whereabouts of the 24-year-old victim are protected by a gag order.
The court was informed that on August 26, 2020, at around 3.30 p.m., the victim went to the bathroom to shower.
Xu entered the stall next to the victim with the intention of using the camera on his phone to spy on the man.
The victim, who was fully nude, observed Xu raising his phone over the cubicle wall and aiming it at him.
He yelled at Xu and quickly began to dress himself. When he emerged from the stall, he spotted Xu sprinting out of the restroom.
Xu returned to his room, where he texted his girlfriend that he had attempted to photograph the victim bathing but had been caught.
The victim went to Xu's room shortly thereafter to confront him. The victim phoned the police after Xu confirmed that he was the guy in the adjacent cubicle
After Xu's arrest, two cellphones and a laptop were confiscated and analyzed for data. More than 720 sexually explicit movies were discovered on the phones.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nicholas Wuan did not oppose to Eric Liew's request for a brief detention term, given Xu's comparatively youthful age of 20 at the time of the offenses.
A brief detention order is a community-based sentencing that allows an offender to spend no more than two weeks in jail.
District Judge Shaiffudin Saruwan stated that Xu's acts entailed a high level of intrusion but were spontaneous and not too calculated. Additionally, the judge stated that Xu was a first-time offender.
A representative for NTU stated that the institution "has zero tolerance for sexual misbehavior."
In response to inquiries, the spokesman stated that Xu had been suspended for one semester and was required to undergo counseling. Since then, he has graduated from university.
The representative informed CNA that NTU "offered support to the persons affected" in August 2020, when the event occurred.
NTU stated that any student who conducts such activities would be subject to disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion, depending on the nature and severity of the offense.
Xu might have been imprisoned for up to two years, fined, or caned for voyeurism, or any combination of these punishments.
Possession of obscene films is punishable by up to six months in prison, a fine of up to S$20,000, or both.
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