SINGAPORE, Feb 1 (IANS): A 50-year-old warrant officer of Indian descent in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) was sentenced on Thursday to 10 months in prison for attempting to have a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl in 2021.
Subramaniam Tabran Rangasami last month pleaded guilty to sexually penetrating a minor, now 17, The Straits Times reported.
Subramaniam was suspended from all duties following his arrest, but two other charges were also taken into consideration during sentencing.
A Defense Ministry spokesperson told the newspaper that the SAF may take further action after the court hearing, including subramaniam’s retirement.
The incident occurred on December 6, 2021, when the victim was scheduled to meet online with a school counselor in the morning.
The third-year secondary school student was walking down from the fifth floor of the parking lot when he fell and hit the door, and Subramaniam helped him to his feet.
She thanked him and after chatting for about an hour on the first floor of the parking lot, they became intimate.
According to reports, Subramaniam tried to have sex with her but was unsuccessful, after which they broke up and exchanged phone numbers.
The court heard they had been communicating through WhatsApp, but the messages were not sexual in nature.
Two days after the incident, the girl felt taken advantage of by Subramaniam and reported it to the police.
Deputy public prosecutor Sunil Nair told the court in earlier proceedings: “The defendant was not under any misconception as to the age of the victim. He did not force or coerce the victim to become intimate with him.” said.
For trespassing on a minor under the age of 16, violators can face up to 10 years in prison and fines.
