Tutor used spy cameras to film his sister and other victims, including 9-year-old pupil, in toilets

SINGAPORE – A man who taught part-time at an education centre and as a home tutor began his voyeuristic behaviour in 2011, when he used his mobile phone to record his sister using the toilet.

The 30-year-old man eventually bought spy pen cameras to record her and other victims, including his ex-girlfriend, and students at his workplace.

He even recorded a 10-minute video of a nine-year-old pupil in the toilet of the education centre.

He cannot be named due to a gag order to protect his victims.

On Sept 6, the man pleaded guilty to three counts of voyeurism and two charges of possession of voyeuristic material. Six similar charges will be taken into consideration when the man is sentenced.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Chong Yong indicated he would not object to a mandatory treatment order (MTO) report for the man.

The prosecutor said he will be reserving his position on sentencing until the MTO report was made, but indicated this was in no way an expression that the prosecution believed an MTO was appropriate in this case.

District Judge Tan Jen Tse agreed and said: “While I will be calling for the MTO suitability report, the court may not order it even if he is found suitable. In this case, there are several factors that are serious, such as his long period of offending and the multiple young victims.”

His case will be heard again on Nov 18. He is currently out on bail of $15,000.

The man was arrested on Aug 31, 2021, after he was caught placing a spy pen camera in the toilet near the kitchen in the home of a student’s grandparent while he was there tutoring.

He admitted to having placed the camera to record the maid employed there using the toilet.

The prosecutor said the maid, 27, went into the toilet to take a shower, but turned the lights off as she was suspicious of the man. While showering, she spotted the spy camera and quickly put her clothes back on before retrieving the pen.

The man went to retrieve his camera when the maid finished showering but discovered it was missing.

He intercepted the maid and, seeing her with the pen, asked for the device back. She handed it to him as she was afraid of him.

She later told her employers of the incident and a police report was made.

After his arrest, the police escorted the man back to his residence, where they seized two memory cards, two portable hard drives, two laptops, a mobile phone, one spy pen camera and four disassembled spy pen camera parts.

Forensic analysis of the devices found that he had recorded at least 55 images and videos of staff members and students at the education centre. A further 24 images and recordings of victims below the age of 14 were also found.

The man admitted to recording a nine-year-old pupil he taught at the tuition centre some time between April 2020 and August 2021.

He also pleaded guilty to recording his own 27-year-old sister in June 2021. While hanging out with his sister and a mutual friend, the man planted a spy pen camera in the toilet, recording a nearly nine-minute video of his sister relieving herself.

The prosecution said the man had also filmed at various locations, including the homes of his relatives, friends and tutees, and bathrooms in shopping centres.

Those found guilty of voyeurism can be jailed for up to two years and caned.