Construction worker jailed six months for theft and molestation

A construction worker was jailed for six months on Thursday for molestation, theft and criminal trespass. -- ST POSED PHOTO: WANG HUI FEN
A construction worker was jailed for six months on Thursday for molestation, theft and criminal trespass. -- ST POSED PHOTO: WANG HUI FEN

A construction worker was jailed for six months on Thursday for molestation, theft and criminal trespass.

Indian national Palanisami Mohankumar, 27, pleaded guilty to stealing a mobile phone from the Housing Board flat of Ms Mek Phin Ap Eh Wang, 35, along Yishun Street 22 on Sept 29, 2012.

He also admitted to touching the thigh of an 11-year-old girl through her flat's common corridor window in Little India last Aug 30; and committing criminal trespass at a unit in Bedok Reservoir Road on Sept 17 last year.

A district court heard that Palanisamy was walking around the Yishun block past midnight on Sept 29, 2012 when he found the sliding window of Ms Mek's unit not properly secured. He then stole her mobile phone which was lying on the table.

On Aug 30 last year at about 3am, the 11-year-old girl woke up when she felt someone touching her on the thigh. She saw Palanisami standing outside her half-opened window. She did not scream as she was scared, but slapped his hand.

Palanisami then retracted his hand and fled.

Since then, she has slept with her grandmother in another room.

Her father called the police on Sept 16 stating that he suspected his daughter had been molested a couple of times in her room.

Forensic examination was conducted on the window, and some fingerprints found were traced to Palanisami.

The court heard that the next day, Palanisami went to a unit at Bedok Reservoir Road and forced open the window, intending to steal but left when he could not find anything. Lawyer S. Radakrishnan said Palanisami was motivated by an intention to steal out of hunger and desperation.

The court backdated his sentence to Oct 5 last year.

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