SINGAPORE, July 24 — A 70‑year‑old man admitted in court that he sexually assaulted 11 children over three decades, including his daughter, granddaughters, nieces and several pupils from his enrichment centre.
Prosecutors told the High Court that the victims were between five and 10 years old when the abuse began, according to a report by the Straits Times.
The man and his wife operated an enrichment centre from 1997 to 2021, and he had earlier conducted tuition lessons at home.
Four of the victims were children who attended the centre or were tutored by him.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Jiang Ke‑yue said, “He’s a danger to children,” citing a psychiatric report that diagnosed the man with paedophilic disorder.
The court heard that he raped his daughter in 2005 when she was 15, telling her not to disclose the abuse or the family would break apart.
He later assaulted his granddaughters in 2023, warning one child she would lose his favour if she spoke out.
The man had previously served prison terms for sexual offences, including a sentence in 2020 for abusing three sisters at the enrichment centre.
He resumed preying on his granddaughters two years after his release in 2021.
His daughter eventually revealed her own abuse after his granddaughters disclosed what had happened to them.
Other victims included nieces and students, some of whom were molested during tuition sessions or at the centre.
One niece said she was abused between 1995 and 1996 when she was nine to 12 years old.
Another victim was six when she was molested during enrichment classes in 2006, while a 10‑year‑old was assaulted at a water cooler in 2010.
The prosecutor asked for a jail term of 32 to 36 years.
The man pleaded guilty to 10 charges involving six victims, including rape, sexual assault by penetration, obscene acts with children, showing pornography, unnatural sex and outrage of modesty.
Another 23 charges will be considered during sentencing on September 7.
He cannot be caned because he is over 50 years old and suffers from myelofibrosis, a rare blood cancer.
A gag order prevents his name from being published to protect the victims’ identities.
* If you are experiencing sexual violence, the following hotlines offer free and confidential support: Talian Kasih at 15999 or WhatsApp 019-2615999 (24/7); All Women’s Action Society at 016-2374221/016-2284221 (9.30am-5.30pm); and Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) at 03-30008858 or SMS/WhatsApp TINA 018-9888058 (24/7)
