Man who worked with young people at PA jailed for sexually assaulting teenager

A man who previously worked with young people at the People's Association (PA) has been handed a jail sentence of 10 years and six months for sexually assaulting a then 16-year-old boy.

- Samuel Devaraj

According to a judgment dated March 3, Ranjeet Prasad manipulated the teen, who had aspirations of becoming a singer or an actor. The abuse took place in 2007.

The accused, who the prosecution said showed a total lack of remorse, was found guilty of three counts of having carnal intercourse against the order of nature.

In sentencing Prasad, District Judge John Ng took into account that there was abuse of a position of authority by the accused.

The judge said the incidents negatively impacted the victim's life, adding: “He had a girlfriend at that point in time, and the incidents had left him questioning his sexual orientation and prospects for marriage." Prasad first met the teen in 2007 at an office in Paya Lebar.

There is a gag order in place to protect the identity of the victim.

The accused was then managing PA's community projects in the South East and North West comcouncils munity development (CDCs), and oversaw the South East CDC's youth network programme.

In his testimony, the victim said he had been excited to join the youth network as it involved modelling. It was something he was interested in pursuing, in line with his hopes of becoming a singer or actor.