21 years' jail for man who sexually assaulted young grandniece at home and in cinema

A 59-year-old man who sexually abused his young grandniece over four years was sentenced to 21 years' jail by the High Court on Sept 1.

- Selina Lum

The man admitted that he began molesting the girl in 2019 when she was seven years old.

The sexual assaults took place at home, in the back of a van, and even at a cinema.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated rape and two charges of aggravated sexual assault by penetration.

Six other charges, for sexual offences against the victim, were taken into consideration during sentencing.

The man cannot be named owing to a gag order to protect the victim's identity.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Lim Yu Hui told the court that in 2019, the man moved into the unit where the girl lived with her parents, younger brother, grandmother and uncle.

The man had his own room, while the girl slept in the living room.

From 2019 to 2021, he would call the victim into his room and touch her inappropriately.