Corpun file 26389 at www.corpun.com
Channel NewsAsia, Singapore, 10 May 2016
Nearly 17 years' jail, 22 strokes of cane for man who raped woman thrice in public
The judge says Lim Choon Beng's "shocking and brazen" rape of the victim had "shattered" the idea that anyone can walk safely on public roads in Singapore at any time of the day.
By Vanessa Paige Chelvan
Lim Choon Beng was sentenced to nearly 17 years' jail and 22 strokes of the cane on Tuesday (May 10) for raping a young woman thrice in public. (Photo: SPF)
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SINGAPORE: A 30-year-old man who raped a young woman thrice in public was sentenced to nearly 17 years' jail and 22 strokes of the cane on Tuesday (May 10).
Lim Choon Beng had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, one count of aggravated outrage of modesty and one count of sexual assault. Several other charges were also taken into consideration during sentencing, including a third rape charge.
Lim, who waylaid the victim, then 24, as she was walking home alone in the early hours of Feb 9, 2013. He violently raped and assaulted her along Martin Road towards River Valley Close before she managed to escape. Her ordeal lasted 20 minutes.
Judicial Commissioner Foo Chee Hock said Lim's "shocking and brazen" rape of the victim had "shattered" the idea that anyone can walk safely on public roads in Singapore at any time of the day.
JC Foo sentenced Lim to 13 years' jail and seven strokes of the cane for each of the two rape charges he pleaded guilty to. Lim could have faced up to 20 years' jail and caning per charge.
For aggravated outrage of modesty -- Lim had sat on the victim to stop her from getting away, before grabbing her breast -- he received 30 months' jail and four strokes of the cane.
As for the sexual assault charge -- forcing the victim to perform oral sex on him -- Lim was given three years and 10.5 months' jail and four strokes of the cane.
JC Foo ordered one 13-year term for rape and the term for sexual assault to run consecutively, giving Lim a total jail term of 16 years and 10.5 months and 22 strokes of the cane. Lim, who remained expressionless in the dock, will serve his 13-year term for the remaining rape charge and 30-month term for outrage of modesty concurrently with the nearly 17-year term.
- CNA/xk
MediaCorp News Group © 2016
