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A Malaysian cook at a Singapore preschool has been sentenced to more than nine years behind bars after admitting to repeatedly molesting three toddlers, aged 1 to 2, in the facility's nap room
Five other molestation charges were considered during the sentencing of the Malaysian man, Teo Guan Huat, 61, who pleaded guilty on 27 October.
Teo, a Singapore permanent resident, was sentenced to nine years, four months, and seven weeks in jail. This includes nine months' imprisonment in place of caning, as Teo is over 50 and cannot be caned, according to The Straits Times.
He abused the children from May to November 2023, when he was caught on CCTV molesting the victims. He resigned from the preschool the same month.
District judge Vince Gui described Teo's actions as "abhorrent"
While Teo was employed as a cook, he assisted with childcare tasks such as escorting children to showers, arranging bedding, and patting them to sleep. All of these duties were outside his role.
In admitting to his offences, Teo said he suffers from erectile dysfunction and has never been in a relationship.
He said he "wanted to see and wanted to touch", admitting that "he had targeted children because they were not able to speak up".
According to Malay Mail, while a psychiatric report diagnosed Teo with paedophilic disorder, prosecutors told the court that the condition did not affect his ability to distinguish right from wrong.
Four women were charged with allegedly withholding information about the incidents
The four women, aged between 48 and 66, have their identities protected under a gag order to safeguard the victims.
Each woman faced a single charge of intentionally withholding information about the sexual assault.
In July, the 66-year-old received a stern warning and was granted a discharge amounting to an acquittal, meaning she cannot be prosecuted again for the same offence.
In May, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) fined the pre-school SGD26,200 (RM84,000) and prohibited it from enrolling new students.
Disciplinary action was also taken against four members of the school's management, with three barred from working in the sector.
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
