SINGAPORE, Aug 28 — What a 10-year-old girl initially thought was an accidental touch during swimming lessons happened twice more before she asked her sister whether the same coach had touched her too.

Her sister said yes, and the girl later told her brother and father, leading to a police report against former swimming coach Quek Yeong Kang, Singapore-based news outlet CNA reported.

Quek, 49, was sentenced to two years’ jail and three strokes of the cane after being convicted of three counts of molestation involving the girl during lessons on October 14, 21 and 28, 2023.

Quek denied the offences and claimed the girl had fabricated the allegations because she wanted to change coaches.

Deputy Principal District Judge Luke Tan rejected his account, finding the girl’s evidence “clear, consistent and compelling” while describing Quek’s evidence as “unconvincing and unreliable”.

Four other students also gave statements to police, with three describing Quek’s practice of tickling students during lessons, which they found unusual.

Quek admitted the tickling but said it was a form of discipline to make students pay attention.

He also claimed it was “almost impossible” for him to molest the girl because of their height difference, but later conceded he had made physical contact with her after footage was replayed at half speed.

Judge Tan said the footage did not capture the alleged molestation because it happened underwater and briefly, but supported the girl’s account of the physical setting and showed Quek making contact without a credible coaching justification.

Although Quek had no previous convictions, the judge noted that he showed no remorse and rejected his plea for leniency based on his heart disease and diabetes.

CNA said it is not naming the pool where the offences occurred due to a court gag order protecting the victim’s identity.