Jail, caning for man who sexually abused younger sister for a decade since she was 7

SINGAPORE – He was 13 years old in 2007 when he began sexually assaulting his sister, who was then seven years old. The sexual abuse continued over the next 10 years – at home and once while the siblings were in the back seat of the family car.

On Dec 1, the offender, who is now 31 years old, was sentenced to 10 years’ jail and 24 strokes of the cane after he pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual assault by penetration and a charge of incest.

Four other charges, one each for attempted rape, sexual assault by penetration, attempted sexual assault by penetration and outrage of modesty, were taken into consideration during sentencing.

Apart from the incest offence, which took place when she was 17 years old, the victim did not have the capacity to consent to all the other sexual acts as she was underage at the time.

In sentencing, High Court Judge Mavis Chionh said this was a tragic case in many ways, and that the man’s actions carried repercussions not just for himself and his sister, but also for their family.

Justice Chionh said he had abused the trust that was reposed in him as the victim’s elder brother, noting that he was six years older and that the siblings had a close relationship.

She said the defence’s contention that the victim occasionally initiated some acts did not mitigate the harm caused.

The judge said the victim was vulnerable in the light of the sexual violations she had experienced since childhood, which completely altered her view of intimacy.

Justice Chionh added that she hopes the man’s plea of guilt could bring some sense of closure to all involved and healing for the victim.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Sivakumar Ramasamy told the court that, according to the victim, she was too young to understand the sexual nature of the acts when the abuse began.

As she grew older, she remained silent as she did not want people to judge her. She also wanted to protect her family, said the prosecutor.

In one incident between 2009 and 2010, the victim was nine to 10 years old when her brother asked her to go to his bedroom, where he performed a sex act on her.

In April 2010, the two were in the back seat of the family car when he sexually violated her.

Between 2017 and 2018, the siblings, who were then 23 years old and 17 years old, respectively, carried out sex acts on each other in his bedroom at night.

In March 2023, after the victim confided in her partner about the assaults, she gained the courage to tell her sisters, who in turn informed their parents.

She later lodged a police report, and the man was arrested on April 18, 2023.

On Dec 1, the DPP said the victim will carry with her lifelong trauma as a result of her brother’s actions.

He sought 10 to 12 years’ jail and 24 strokes of the cane.

The man’s lawyer, Ms Tanaya Kinjavdekar, said his fiancee would be standing by him and had written a letter to ask for leniency.

The lawyer said the siblings’ parents were appalled by the revelations and have been feeling torn. She said her client is remorseful for causing irreparable damage to the family.

After the man was sentenced, she asked the court to allow her client to start serving his jail term on Jan 5, 2026, as he needs time to hand over the rental apartment where he is currently living.

Justice Chionh was not persuaded to grant such a lengthy deferment. She ordered him to surrender himself on Dec 15 and extended his $100,000 bail.