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A 35-year-old former primary school teacher has been sentenced to 22 months in prison after pleading guilty to charges involving the sexual exploitation of a minor
The Singaporean woman, whose identity is protected by a court-mandated gag order, appeared in court today, 26 March, over a romantic and sexual relationship that began when her former student was just 13 years old, according to Channel News Asia.
The court heard that the relationship originated in a professional capacity in 2016, when the accused taught the victim mathematics for two years while he was in Primary 5 and Primary 6
After the boy graduated from primary school, he remained in contact with the woman via WhatsApp, frequently seeking her assistance with his secondary school homework. By late 2018, their conversations shifted from academic assistance to personal conversations about their daily lives.
In February 2019, when the victim was a 13-year-old Secondary 2 student, and the woman was 28, the pair entered into a romantic relationship. Despite acknowledging that her actions were wrong, the woman continued to meet the minor privately.
During this period, she provided him with schoolwork guidance and financial assistance for food and transport, according to a previous report.
The relationship turned physical later that year, involving consensual intimacy in various secluded locations, including a multi-storey car park near the victim's residence.
Image used for illustration purposes only.
Image via Mozhgan Elahi/PexelsThe situation reached a breaking point in July 2023 when the victim, then older, attempted to terminate the relationship
Refusing to accept the breakup, the woman began a campaign of harassment, calling the victim 25 times and sending an equal number of emails.
In these messages, she claimed he had "ruined her" emotionally and expressed a desire to "die soon", while also voicing her jealousy over his new relationship.
Fearing for his safety due to the stalking, the victim lodged a police report, leading to the woman's arrest on 7 March 2024.
During sentencing, the prosecution emphasised that while the accused was no longer the victim's active teacher when the sexual acts occurred, her former role remained highly relevant
Principal District Judge Lee Lit Cheng noted that while the woman was not in a direct position of professional responsibility at the time of the offences, she was a person in whom the victim had placed significant trust.
The judge pointed out that the woman's continued academic and financial support of the boy evidenced an abuse of the trust he reposed in her as a former mentor.
In mitigation, the defence argued that the woman was remorseful and that the relationship was a "genuine romantic" one rather than a case of serial grooming
The judge acknowledged these factors, alongside the woman's low risk of reoffending, but highlighted the stalking as a distinguishing negative factor.
The woman had previously been suspended by the Ministry of Education in March 2024 and is no longer employed in the teaching service. She has been allowed to defer her jail term for two weeks.
If you or someone you know may be at risk or has experienced sexual abuse or assault, please reach out to these Malaysian organisations:
1. WOMEN'S AID ORGANISATION (WAO)
Operating hours: 24-hour
Contact: +603-30008858
SMS/WhatsApp: +6018-9888058
Website | Facebook | Twitter
2. ALL WOMEN'S ACTION SOCIETY (AWAM)
Operating hours: Weekdays (9.30am – 4.30pm)
Contact: +603-78770224
WhatsApp: +6016-2284221 | +6016-2374221
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
3. WOMEN'S CENTRE FOR CHANGE PENANG (WCC PENANG)
Operating hours: Weekdays (9am – 5pm)
Contact: +604-2280342 | +604-3988340
WhatsApp: +6011-31084001 | +6016-4390698
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
4. SARAWAK WOMEN FOR WOMEN SOCIETY (SWWS)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am to 5.30pm)
Contact: +6082-422660
SMS/WhatsApp: +6013-8044285
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
5. SABAH WOMEN'S ACTION-RESOURCE GROUP (SAWO)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am to 2pm)
Contact: +6088-280200
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
6. PROTECT AND SAVE THE CHILDREN (PS THE CHILDREN)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (8.30am to 5.30pm)
Contact: +6016-2273065 | +6016-7213065
WhatsApp: +6016-7213065
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
7. INTERNET WATCH FOUNDATION (IWF)
Anonymously and confidentially report child sexual abuse content and non-photographic child sexual abuse images with IWF's Reporting Portal.
8. HEAL
Contact: 15555
