Foster parent jailed, caned for molest

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Dec 3, 2009

Foster parent jailed, caned
By Khushwant Singh
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<!-- end left side bar --> <!-- story content : start --> A TEEN, who was molested by her father, suffered the same fate at the hands of her foster parent. For outraging the modesty of his 15-year-old ward, machinist Hassan Sheikh Hobibi Rahman was sentenced to 14 months in jail and three strokes of the cane. District Judge Jasvender Kaur said that his offence was 'as gross, as deliberate and as wicked a breach of trust as one might regret to see'. The court heard that Hassan, 47, and his wife were appointed foster parents in March 2003 by the Ministry of Community, Youth and Sports (MCYS). Such foster guardians look after children and young persons, who have been abandoned or should not be with their own families. The girl had been staying with them for three years without incident until she was awaken by a hand touching her groin at about 2am on Oct 23 this year She screamed and Hassan was seen leaving the bedroom. The next day, she informed a child protection officer with the MCYS. The girl was immediately removed from the family and a police report made.

 

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Man sentenced to 14 months' jail for molesting ward

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="789"><tbody><tr> <td colspan="3" height="26"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="5"> </td> <td colspan="2" valign="top" width="784"> Man sentenced to 14 months' jail for molesting ward
By Zul Othman, TODAY | Posted: 03 December 2009 2118 hrs

SINGAPORE: The man and his wife were appointed in 2003 as foster parents by the Ministry of Community, Youth and Sports (MCYS) to care for young persons who, for various reasons, are unable to remain at home with their biological parents.

But at the Subordinate Courts on Thursday, machinist Hassan Sheikh Hobibi Rahman was sentenced to 14 months' jail with three strokes of the cane for molesting his then 15-year-old ward.

The girl, who cannot be named to protect her identity, had previously suffered the same fate at the hands of her own father.

Although 47-year-old Hassan, who has a daughter, told the court that he was "remorseful" of his actions, Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Isaac Tan pressed for a custodial sentence of at least 12 months as he had inflicted undue psychological trauma on the "young and vulnerable" teen.

District Judge Jasvender Kaur agreed and had very strong words for Hassan before sentencing.

"This is a very serious matter," she said. "You have committed a gross, deliberate breach of trust as one might regret to see".

Hassan and his wife had applied to the MYCS for the role of surrogate parents to take care of children on a temporary basis or until such time alternative care provisions could be provided.

It is understood that in such cases, foster parents recruited by the ministry get a monthly allowance to cover the child's school-going and living expenses.

According to court documents, the girl had been staying with Hassan and his family at their Jurong West flat since October 2005. They were also made aware that their new ward had previously been abused by her father.

On October 23 last year, the girl was roused from her sleep by Hassan, who squatted next to her and had his hand under her shorts, touching her groin. He quickly left the room when the victim screamed at him.

The next day, she reported the incident to her child protection officer and was immediately taken away from her flat. MediaCorp understands that the girl is now living with her biological mother.


- TODAY/so


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this is why,if the society at large do not always forgive or accept an ex-convict.