19 1/2 years' jail for man who raped domestic helper

A 68-year-old man who raped a domestic worker in 2020 while his family was overseas was sentenced to 191/2 years' jail on Jan 24.

- Selina Lum

The assault was partially captured by CCTV cameras in the flat, which showed the man's actions, such as his movements and the positioning of his body, while the woman was in an unresponsive state.

Prosecutors accused the man of committing various sexual offences against the helper, who was then 35 years old, after he offered her wine and "supplement injections", which she accepted.

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

He had contested five charges in a High Court trial that began in July 2024. He denied committing the acts alleged in the charges.

In November 2024, Justice Mavis Chionh found him guilty of two charges of rape and two charges of outrage of modesty, but acquitted him of a charge of sexual assault by penetration.

The man represented himself during the trial.

On Jan 24, after he was told by the judge that he had the right to appeal against the conviction and sentence if he wished to do so, the man said he intends to hire a lawyer for his appeal.

His existing bail of $80,000 was extended pending his appeal.