SINGAPORE - A 36-year-old Bangladeshi overstayer who molested a woman in a Geylang back alley was on Friday (Aug 5) jailed for five months.

Rana Masud pleaded guilty to one charge of outrage of modesty and one count of using a forged document - a Special Pass.

He also admitted to one charge of unlawfully remaining in Singapore for 13 days after the expiry of his Work Permit, and this was taken into account in sentencing.

A district court heard the 29-year-old victim had been in the back alley between Lorong 14 and Lorong 16 Geylang at about 5.30am on July 8.

While she was waiting for her 21-year-old male friend, who had gone to use the toilet, to return, she felt someone grab her left buttock.

She quickly turned and saw Masud molesting her with his right hand.

When she asked why he touched her, he replied: "Hotel? $100, $200?"

At about the same time, a passer-by who saw what happened shouted at Masud and he fled.

The victim gave chase but lost sight of him.

Later, at about 7.30am, while she was about to leave the area with her friend, the victim saw Masud walking past.

He tried to flee, but the victim and her friend managed to detain him along Lorong 12 Geylang.

A passer-by called the police.

Shortly after, when officers asked for his particulars, Masud gave a fake Special Pass with his name on it. The document showed that he was allowed to remain in Singapore between June 26 and July 11.

But a check with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority showed that his Work Pass had been cancelled on June 25 and that he had been staying unlawfully in Singapore since then.

He said he met a friend "Ramesh" on June 28, who sold him the fraudulent Special Pass for $500.

The maximum penalty for outrage of modesty is two years' jail and a fine and caning.

The maximum punishment for using a forged document is four years' jail and a fine, and for staying unlawfully in Singapore for 90 days or less, a $4,000 fine and six months' jail.