Man convicted of sexually abusing daughter at home

A 42-year-old man was found guilty of sexually abusing his daughter when she was between 11 and 13 years old. PHOTO: ST FILE

SINGAPORE - A 42-year-old man was on Wednesday (Feb 15) found guilty of sexually abusing his biological daughter for more than two years, when she was between 11 and 13 years old.

The man had pleaded not guilty to 10 charges - four for sexual assault by penetration, five for molestation, and one for committing an indecent act with a child. The offences were allegedly committed in the family's flat between end-2011 and April 2014.

Among other things, he contended that some of the sexual acts were impossible as he had undergone penis enlargement procedures.

However, Judicial Commissioner Aedit Abdullah rejected this, noting that he had not raised this during police investigations. The court also found that the testimony of the girl was "unusually convincing" and there was no evidence the allegations were trumped up.

The girl had testified that most of the abuse took place in the master bedroom as she would use the computer in that room for school projects after she came home from school. Her father would ensure that the door was closed and locked before carrying out the sex acts.

In April 2014, the girl told her mother about the abuse in an exchange of WhatsApp messages. Her mother replied: "I love you, you have me always."

In the exchange, the girl said: "I love dad... but I hate dad when he does that to me. I am confused. I do not know to handle this anymore. Most of the time when dad did those things I want to tell you but I am scared."

The girl also told her mother: "I am afraid to go home... I am very afraid. I am also afraid you will not believe me... Why would I text you about this thing if it is not true? I do not want to go home... I feel afraid... I feel that I am dirty. Very very dirty."

The next day, the woman threw her her husband out of the flat. Three weeks later, she made a police report and filed for divorce.

The case has been adjourned to March. The most serious offence faced by the accused, sexual assault by penetration of a person under the age 14, carries between eight and 20 years' jail and at least 12 strokes of the cane.

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