SINGAPORE - A veteran athletics coach who was accused of molesting two teenagers reported to the State Courts on the first day of a five-day trial on Monday (Jan 22).

Loh Siang Piow, 73, better known as Loh Chan Pew, was charged initially with five counts of outrage of modesty with the use of criminal force on a 16-year-old and an 18-year-old. On Monday, the prosecution proceeded with two of the charges.

Loh, a former national sprinter, was accompanied by four friends.

According to court documents, the incidents took place from late 2011 to March 2013. In each of these incidents, Loh was alleged to have used criminal force and molested the victims.

The victims cannot be named in order to protect their identities.

If convicted of using criminal force with the intention of outraging the modesty of a person, he can be punished with jail of up to two years, a fine, caning or any combined sentence.

As Loh is above 50 years old, no caning will be imposed if he is found guilty.

Loh was a member of the Singapore men's 4x100m relay team that clinched a silver medal at the 1973 South-east Asian Peninsular Games. He is Singapore Athletics' vice-president (competitions organising), but is currently on a leave of absence.