Teen molester threatens dad with knives, punches him after he turns off air-con in son's room

Shaffiq Alkhatib
The Straits Times
April 18, 2023

A teenager who molested a girl in June 2020 and then assaulted his father four months later after a tiff over the use of an air-conditioner at home was sentenced to 21 months’ probation on Tuesday.

He was earlier convicted of molesting the 15-year-old girl following a trial, but details were not disclosed in court. In December 2022, he admitted to one count each of criminal intimidation and assault involving his father.

As part of his probation, the offender, now 19, has to remain indoors from 10pm to 6am every day and perform 80 hours of community service. His parents were also bonded for $5,000 to ensure his good behaviour.

He cannot be named as he was 16 years old when he molested the girl. Those below 18 are protected under the Children and Young Persons Act.

On Oct 15, 2020, the offender got into an argument with his 49-year-old father in their Choa Chu Kang flat over the teen’s desire to use the air-conditioner in his room.

The offender was earlier doing physical exercises in his room with the air-conditioner switched on. His father then switched off the electrical mains to the air-conditioning unit.

The teenager entered his father’s bedroom where the electrical mains were and switched them back on without the latter’s permission.

The father, commenting that the electricity bills were high, switched the mains back off.

An argument broke out and the teenager took three knives from the kitchen to his father’s bedroom and threatened him with them. The offender’s two siblings stepped in, and he flung the knives on the floor.

Still unhappy, he charged towards his father and punched him in the face. A scuffle broke out and the teenager’s sister alerted the police.

Their father, who suffered a cut on his left cheek, later sought treatment at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and was given six days of medical leave.

For assault, an offender can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $5,000. For criminal intimidation, an offender can be jailed for up to two years and fined.

For molestation, an offender can be jailed for up to three years, fined, caned or receive any combination of such punishments.