A 35-year-old teacher has been sentenced to nine years’ jail for engaging in multiple sexual acts with her 15-year-old student at several locations, including a school toilet, a karaoke room and on a double-decker bus in Singapore.
The teacher, whose identity is protected by a gag order, pleaded guilty to one charge of sexual penetration of a minor and two charges of sexually exploiting a young person under 16.
Five other charges of sexually exploiting a young person, as well as one charge of sexual grooming and another involving sexual communication with a minor, were taken into consideration during sentencing on Monday, October 5.
The student’s identity is also protected by the gag order.
The court heard that the woman was the victim’s mathematics teacher.
Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Yeo Kee Hwan said the victim was a Secondary 3 student who had a history of family problems and struggled with several mental health conditions, including adjustment disorder.
Child Protection Services had previously intervened in the family’s situation over concerns about the use of harsh physical punishment by the student’s parents.
Her teachers, including the accused, were aware of the difficulties she faced at home, DPP Yeo said.
The woman began teaching the student in 2023. In April that year, the student approached her teacher seeking support and advice about problems within her family.
The relationship later developed into a sexual one.
“They eventually entered into what the victim described as a ‘situationship’ and engaged in a series of sexual encounters from Oct 13, to Nov 21, 2023,” said DPP Yeo.
The first encounter took place in a karaoke room on Oct 13, 2023.
The teacher and student discussed the incident over the next two days and agreed to stop engaging in further sexual acts.
Despite this, the teacher took the student to a female staff toilet on Oct 16 after she had completed an examination. Another sexual act took place there.
Further encounters occurred at various locations, including the upper deck of a double-decker bus and a room rented for watching movies.
The relationship eventually soured.
On Jan 16, 2024, the student told a safety adult appointed by Child Protection Services that she had been sexually assaulted on three occasions.
The matter was referred to the school’s vice-principal, who accompanied the student to make a police report the following day.
The student subsequently began breaking down at school because the environment reminded her of the incidents. She was later diagnosed with adjustment disorder.
The court heard that she suffered insomnia, suicidal thoughts, nightmares, flashbacks and recurrent thoughts about the offences.
Her mathematics lessons became particularly difficult because they reminded her of what had happened. She struggled to concentrate, experienced panic attacks and had difficulty trusting adults.
Her academic performance subsequently deteriorated.
A doctor from the Institute of Mental Health said her symptoms were consistent with a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD).
DPP Yeo and DPP Selene Yap sought a total sentence of eight years’ and 14 to 16 months’ imprisonment, describing the relationship and acts as “exploitative”.
The teacher was represented by Mr Kalaithasan Karuppaya of Regent Law LLC.
In mitigation, Mr Kalaithasan said his client was remorseful, citing her cooperation with investigations and her decision to plead guilty.
He asked the court to impose a sentence of eight years and six months’ jail.
“Her actions were due to a lapse in judgment. This is a scar that will remain with her for the rest of her life,” said Mr Kalaithasan.
He added that the woman had sought professional help from a psychiatrist.
Her husband also provided a testimonial describing her as a wife and mother to a four-year-old child, saying he believed she was “capable of genuine rehabilitation”.
In sentencing, District Judge Paul Chan said the teacher had made “serious errors of judgement” and crossed professional boundaries.
He also acknowledged the harm caused to the victim but said he hoped the woman would turn over a new leaf.
“I have read the many testimonials tendered to you, and it’s clear you have many redeeming qualities. Upon your release, apply these qualities for the benefit of your family and wider community,” he said.
Judge Chan also said she had made a “serious error of judgement”, stressing that his assessment was not directed at her as a “mother or wife”.
The woman began crying after the sentence was pronounced.
For sexual penetration of a minor, an offender can be sentenced to up to 20 years’ imprisonment and fined. While caning is also provided for under the law, women and offenders aged above 50 cannot be caned.
Sexually exploiting a minor carries a maximum penalty of a S$10,000 fine, up to five years’ imprisonment, or both.
