Elderly man admits to harassing and assaulting young American man after asking him for sex

A 71-year-old man who was caught on video sexually harassing and slapping a man on an MRT train last year pleaded guilty on Friday (Apr 20) to one count each of harassment and assault.

On Apr 19 last year, business development manager Gan Thean Soo walked up to American Joseph Flynn De Marini, 25, after he had boarded the train with his friend Ms Li Zixin, 20, at Chinatown station and asked if he wanted to have sex with him.

Gan became violent when Mr De Marini said he was not gay, hurling vulgarities and threatening to kiss him.

In the video that was posted on Mr De Marini's Facebook page, the man said, "I know you're gay, so let's f**k".

He continued to insist that the younger man was gay before slapping the left side of Mr De Marini's face.

According to The Straits Times, the court heard that Mr De Marini did not retaliate.

Another passenger came forward and pulled Gan away from him.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Charleston Teo told District Judge May Mesenas: "The accused continued insisting that the victim had 'signalled' him and that he was jealous that the victim was touching a woman."

Gan, Mr De Marini and Ms Li later alighted at Serangoon station but via different doors.

The American alerted the police about his ordeal two days later.

Gan is now out on bail of $8,000 and he will be back in court on April 27.

For committing assault, he can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $5,000.