While they were alone in their workplace, a research assistant at a Singaporean university made sexual approaches toward a female colleague.
Even though she rejected his approaches, he persisted and eventually hugged and kissed her.
On Monday (July 25), he was fined $6,000 after pleading guilty to a molestation charge.
Due to a gag order issued to protect the woman's identity, the offender and the location of the crime cannot be disclosed.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Regina Lim stated in court records that the man and his victim were alone in their workplace at around 7 p.m. on April 29, 2012, after their coworkers had departed.
The man approached the woman at her cubicle and continuously requested her to be his girlfriend before asking if she liked him.
"The victim rebuffed the defendant's approaches and informed him that she was not interested in a relationship," explained DPP Lim.
Despite the victim's refusal to accept his hug, the man persisted to embrace her with both arms. She attempted to escape the embrace by pushing him on the chest, but he was stronger and continued to embrace her.
He then requested permission to kiss her and, despite her refusals, hugged and kissed her on the lips. Again, she was unsuccessful in her attempts to push him away.
A week after the lady reported the event to the university on August 3, 2016, a university investigator filed a police complaint.
DPP Lim requested a fine between $6,000 and $7,000 for the criminal, noting that there was skin-on-skin contact and that the offender had used force.
She continued, "The offense happened in the workplace, where the victim was exposed to the perpetrator's unwelcome approaches."
Mr. Eric Liew, the man's attorney, stated that his client has apologized to his bad judgment and has since resigned from his position at the university, and that the victim is no longer at risk of additional harassment.
The defendant might have been punished to up to two years in prison, a fine, or caning for molestation, or any combination of these punishments.
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