SINGAPORE - Eight men aged between 23 and 67 have been arrested for separate cases of outrage of modesty where they allegedly molested women between the ages of 15 and 55 in places like a hotel, a restaurant and in the street.
Seven of the eight cases occurred last year, while the last case occurred in November 2016, the police said in a statement on Monday (Feb 26).
Here is a list of all eight cases.
1. 15-year-old girl molested on train
On Nov 14, 2016, the police received a report that a 15-year- old girl was molested on a train heading from Bishan MRT Station towards Marymount MRT Station.
The victim recounted two incidents on Nov 8 and Nov 9, when she was allegedly molested by the same suspect.
A 34-year old male suspect was subsequently identified and he was arrested on Nov 18 that year.
2. 19-year-old woman molested at Singapore Botanic Gardens
The police received a report on March 11 last year that said a 19-year-old woman was molested at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
A 29-year- old male suspect was arrested on the same day. He faces an additional charge of using criminal force against the woman for pulling her hair to stop her from leaving.
3. 32-year-old woman molested in restaurant
On Aug 17 last year, the police received a report that a 32-year- old woman was molested in a restaurant in Unity Street, which is near Fort Canning.
A 42-year- old male suspect was arrested on the same day. He faces additional charges of using criminal force, voluntarily causing hurt and using abusive words against a public servant.
4. 39-year-old woman molested at Orchard Road hotel
On Sept 24 last year, the police received a report that a 39-year-old woman was molested at a hotel in Orchard Road.
A 67-year- old male suspect was subsequently arrested. He faces an additional charge of outrage of modesty involving a 41-year- old woman for a separate incident that was reported on Oct 2 last year.
5. Two women aged 55 and 46 molested by cyclist in Toa Payoh
A 55-year-old woman was molested by a cyclist in Toa Payoh Lorong 1, according to a police report made on Nov 8 last year.
Another woman, 46, was allegedly molested, also by a cyclist, three days later on Nov 11. This time, it occurred at Toa Payoh Lorong 8.
A 23-year-old man believed to be the cyclist involved in both incidents was arrested on Nov 15 last year.
6. 33-year-old woman molested at public entertainment outlet in Emerald Hill
The police received a report on Nov 27 last year about a 33-year-old woman who was molested at a public entertainment outlet in Emerald Hill.
A male suspect, who was also 33, was arrested on the same day.
7. 23-year-old woman molested while exiting lift
On Dec 1 last year, the police received a report that a 23-year-old woman was molested while stepping out of a lift at a Housing Board block in Sin Ming Avenue.
The 28-year-old male suspect was identified and he was subsequently arrested.
8. 19-year-old woman molested in private-hire vehicle at hotel carpark
On Dec 10 last year, the police received a report that a 19-year-old woman was molested in a private-hire vehicle at the basement carpark of a hotel in Orchard Road.
A 36-year-old male suspect was arrested on the same day. He is facing a total of three counts of outrage of modesty.
The penalties for outrage of modesty are a jail term of up to two years, a fine, caning, or a combination of the three punishments.
The police said they have worked with operators of public entertainment outlets on adding security measures such as installing closed-circuit television cameras to prevent molestation cases.
The operators of such spots are also required to prevent overcrowding and ensure their premises are sufficiently lit.
To combat molestation on public transport, officers from the Public Transport Security Command conduct patrols in public transport areas.
The police also actively disseminates crime prevention advice to commuters with posters, videos and crime prevention roadshows in areas like trains, train stations and bus interchanges.
