CEO who performed oral sex on son's friend twice and touched his genitals gets jail, caning

A 48-year-old chief executive who sexually assaulted his son's nine-year-old classmate during a sleepover in 2015 was sentenced to 14 years' jail and 24 strokes of the cane on Friday (Aug 31).

The father of three sons had touched the genitals of his son's friend and performed oral sex on him twice.

The foreign national, who has been remanded in prison since Aug 6 after his bail was revoked, showed up to court in a neck brace, reports The Straits Times. 

His lawyer, Mr Selva K. Naidu, requested bail after sentencing was passed, saying his client intended to appeal.

He was originally due to be sentenced on Aug 10, but on that day his blood pressure surged and he had to be taken to Changi General Hospital on a stretcher, said the lawyer. 

Mr Naidu added that his client was prepared to rent a room at a hotel near the Police Cantonment Complex so that he can report to the police daily. 

However, Justice See Kee Oon denied the request for bail.

During sentencing on Friday, the judge said he was not able to discern any relevant mitigating factors, and was not convinced of defence arguments for concurrent sentences, as the offences were part of a single transaction. 

The man was convicted of committing two counts of sexual assault by penetration of a minor and one count of aggravated molestation. 

He cannot be named due to a gag order to protect the identity of the boy, who is now 12. 

On Oct 31, 2015, the man and his wife organised a Halloween party at his house.

The male victim, a friend of the youngest son, had a sleepover after the party.

He slept on the upper deck of a bunk bed while the son slept on the lower deck.

The victim testified that he pretended to be asleep when the accused entered the room at night, stepped on the lower bunk and touched his genitals.

After the man left and re-entered the room, performing oral sex on him twice, the boy decided to pack up and leave.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Raja Mohan said the accused's acts had left psychological scars on the victim.

During the trial, the boy's mother testified that all the doors in their home would be closed as her son was afraid that the man would take revenge on them.

She said he repeatedly asked: "Why did God choose me to go through that? You know, it's really unfair."

The 31st day of the month also became a "sensitive date" for the boy, she said.

A year after the offences, she thought things were fine when her son invited three friends over for a Halloween party. However, the boy broke down and cried for three hours, she said.

Read the full story on The Straits Times.