Woman loses modesty case against ex-family

[R y u]

Jan 11, 2011

Woman loses modesty case against ex-family

By Khushwant Singh

FIVE members of a family, accused of insulting the modesty of a 51-year-old woman by forcing their way into the bathroom of their home, dragging her out nude and calling her names, have been granted a discharge amounting to an acquittal.

The defendants were a 64-year-old retiree, his three daughters aged 32 to 38 and his son, 29; accused along with them was the son's ex-girlfriend, 30.

The alleged victim, the retiree's wife, became his ex-wife last August, with their divorce becoming final.

In passing judgement on Tuesday, District Judge Hamidah Ibrahim said the woman who alleged the abuse had failed to prove her case beyond reasonable doubt; the six thus stood to be acquitted.

The court heard that the woman had married the retiree, a widower, in 2004, making her the stepmother to his grown-up children, with whom she had a rocky relationship.

Mr Willie Yeo, the lawyer representing the family members, told the court that when she failed to get the court to impose a monthly maintenance payment from her husband, she collectively accused the family of insulting her modesty in a Magistrate's Complaint in March 2008.

Read the full report in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times

 

[R y u]

Court drops charges against family accused of insulting ex-wife's modesty
By Shaffiq Alkhatib | Posted: 11 January 2011 1817 hrs
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SINGAPORE : A district court has dropped all charges against six people who were accused of insulting a woman's modesty on 20 May 2007.

This comes after a four-day trial that ended on 28 October 2010.

District Judge Hamidah Ibrahim granted them a discharge amounting to an acquittal on Tuesday.

She said the complainant had not proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the offence had taken place.

The six people, comprising a 64-year-old man, his four adult children and his son's then-girlfriend were accused of insulting the modesty of a 51-year-old beautician.

They are not named to protect her identity.

The beautician, who is a China national, was married to the patriarch of the family but they divorced on the grounds of unreasonable behaviour.

She later filed a Magistrate's Complaint, accusing her ex-husband's family of ganging up against her.

The plump, fair-complexioned woman claimed that the man had helped two of his daughters force open a bathroom door while she was bathing in their flat in Singapore.

She then claimed that the women dragged her out and the others stared at her naked body.

The beautician also accused the six respondents of hurling verbal insults at her.

The family members, who were represented by lawyer Amarick Gill, looked relieved after the judge delivered her verdict.

Those convicted of insulting a woman's modesty can be jailed up to a year, fined, or both.

- CNA /ls