PhD student who tried to rape ex-housemate after she rejected his advances gets jail, caning

A PhD student who pursued his former housemate romantically continued to pester her even after she repeatedly turned down his advances.

- Selina Lum

When she stayed at home to avoid him, Gao Xiong trespassed into her condominium unit and tried to rape her.

Before he could complete the deed, the woman's housemate pulled Gao away from the victim.

On Dec 1, Gao, a 31-year-old Chinese national, was sentenced to a jail term of six years, six months and six weeks, as well as three strokes of the cane.

He pleaded guilty to one count of attempted rape, committed on Oct 9, 2023, and three counts of criminal trespass, committed between Oct 9, 2023, and May 26, 2024.

After sentencing him, Justice Hoo Sheau Peng suggested that Gao be referred to attend programmes for inmates on sexual attitudes and behaviour.

Gao and the 22-year-old victim, a Chinese national who was completing her tertiary studies in Singapore, used to stay in separate rooms in the unit, alongside other tenants.

He moved out in August 2023. In early October 2023, he began texting her to ask her out.