American who was fined for smacking woman's buttocks told to donate money to Star Shelter.
By
Sujin Thomas
The 28-year-old victim asked that Morales pay the money to the Star Shelter, which falls under the Singapore Council of Women's Organisations, instead of accepting it herself as compensation. -- SHAHRIYA YAHAYA
A SHELTER will be $6,000 richer from an unexpected source.
The money will come from American national Francisco Omar Morales, 40, who gave the money to the shelter as a composition fine for smacking the buttocks of a woman in a pub last Wednesday.
The 28-year-old victim asked that he pay the money to the Star Shelter, which falls under the Singapore Council of Women's Organisations, instead of accepting it herself as compensation.
The shelter provides temporary refuge for victims of family violence and others in need of protection.
Court papers said that the incident took place at about 11.30pm at The Living Room bar at the Singapore Marriott Hotel along Orchard Road.
A Living Room spokesman told The Straits Times that the man, who is believed to have been a hotel guest, was seated at a table near the woman, who was with a group of friends.
Later, the woman stood up and walked to the area beside Morales to take a closer look at a picture hanging on a wall.
It was then Morales smacked her left buttock.
The woman shouted at him before alerting the management who called the police.
A district court also ordered Morales to write the woman a letter of apology for outraging her modesty.
