GRABBING and gagging one girl with his bare hands, forcing another to undress, the man preyed on these young girls in the Housing Board flat lifts in Choa Chu Kang twice in October.

On Thursday, 19-year-old chef Tan Boon Ann pleaded guilty to outraging the modesty of the two girls in a district court.

He was sentenced to four years in jail and six strokes of the cane.

The court heard that on Oct 6, an eight-year-old girl entered a lift together with Tan, pressing the button for the 7th floor. Tan pressed the button for the 11th floor.

While the lift was ascending, Tan grabbed the girl on her shoulder and told her not to shout.

The girls cannot be named in order to protect their identity.

When the lift reached the seventh floor, Tan pulled her close to him and covered her mouth with his hands, to prevent her from calling for help or screaming.

He also slapped her on her cheek, the court heard.

The lift door closed and continued on to the 11th floor where the girl managed to break free and escape.

She told her mother about the incident and a police report was lodged.

Later that month, Tan preyed on another victim - this time, a nine-year-old girl.

On Oct 28, the girl entered a lift with Tan, pressing the button for the 3rd floor.

When the lift reached her floor, Tan pulled out a knife and pointed it at her, ordering her to be quiet. He also slapped the girl.

The lift continued on to the 13th floor, where Tan ordered the girl to take off the T-shirt she was wearing. She complied, fearing for her life.

Referring to Tan's string of similar offences committed from the age of 15, District Judge May Mesenas noted that he had graduated to preying on young girls and is at high risk of re-offending.

A psychiatric report submitted to the court from the Institute of Mental Health said that Tan did not suffer from any mental illness.

However, his mother who was present told the court that her son does not consider the consequences of his actions.

'He always goes ahead with what's on his mind. I believe he's still a problem,' she said.