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Jail for elderly man who molested 2 teen boys on public transport
Ambrose Lee, 72, pleaded guilty on Jan 21 to one count of saying words intended to insult the modesty of a person, and one count of outrage of modesty. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
Christine Tan
UPDATED Jan 21, 2025, 02:38 PM
SINGAPORE – An elderly man who molested two teenage boys, aged 15 and 18, in separate incidents on public transport, was sentenced to three weeks’ jail.
Ambrose Lee, 72, pleaded guilty on Jan 21 to one count of saying words intended to insult the modesty of a person, and one count of outrage of modesty. Two other similar charges were taken into consideration for his sentencing.
Details of the two victims cannot be disclosed due to a gag order protecting their identities.
The court heard about the incident on May 17, 2023, involving Lee and the 18-year-old victim.
At about 10am that day, the adolescent boarded a bus on his way to school and sat at the window seat. He was wearing his school uniform.
Lee later boarded the bus and sat beside the victim, though there were other empty seats.
The elderly man made small talk with the teen and asked for his name, and the victim gave a fake one.
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Lee then asked him questions that insulted his modesty, such as asking if he wanted a massage. The boy said no.
A few moments later, Lee used his hand to touch and repeatedly squeeze the victim’s thigh twice.
When the teenager felt uncomfortable and moved out of his seat, Lee held the boy’s waist with his hand as he moved past him.
CCTV footage from the bus, which was played in court, showed Lee molesting the victim. At least five people were seated around them, but they did not seem to notice the crime.
The victim made a police report that day.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Goh Qi Shuen asked for Lee to be jailed for between four and five weeks, adding that he had molested another victim days after the first incident.
Man jailed for assaulting his father and molesting a woman in separate incidentsJail for elderly wheelchair user who molested woman with Down syndrome
At about 11.25am on May 20, 2023, while on the train between the City Hall and Ang Mo Kio MRT stations, Lee asked a 15-year-old boy if he had reached puberty yet.
Lee then used his finger to draw circles on the boy’s thigh, according to charge sheets.
In mitigation, Lee’s lawyer, Mr James Gomez Jovian Messiah, said his client, who is married with a daughter, is a “very family-oriented individual”.
“(Lee’s) wife and his relatives have shown unwavering support in ensuring he is rehabilitated,” said Mr Gomez, adding that his client has not reoffended since.
The lawyer noted his client’s age and his various medical conditions as mitigating factors, and asked that he be given at most three weeks’ jail.
Before handing down the sentence, Deputy Principal District Judge Kessler Soh said he considered the man’s age and that this was his first offence.
Judge Soh also arranged for Lee to see a court counsellor, and allowed the elderly man to start serving his sentence after Chinese New Year, as he wished to spend time with his family.
Jail for elderly man who molested 2 teen boys on public transport
Ambrose Lee, 72, pleaded guilty on Jan 21 to one count of saying words intended to insult the modesty of a person, and one count of outrage of modesty. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
Christine Tan
UPDATED Jan 21, 2025, 02:38 PM
SINGAPORE – An elderly man who molested two teenage boys, aged 15 and 18, in separate incidents on public transport, was sentenced to three weeks’ jail.
Ambrose Lee, 72, pleaded guilty on Jan 21 to one count of saying words intended to insult the modesty of a person, and one count of outrage of modesty. Two other similar charges were taken into consideration for his sentencing.
Details of the two victims cannot be disclosed due to a gag order protecting their identities.
The court heard about the incident on May 17, 2023, involving Lee and the 18-year-old victim.
At about 10am that day, the adolescent boarded a bus on his way to school and sat at the window seat. He was wearing his school uniform.
Lee later boarded the bus and sat beside the victim, though there were other empty seats.
The elderly man made small talk with the teen and asked for his name, and the victim gave a fake one.
Catch up on the news that everyone’s talking about
Sign up
By signing up, I accept SPH Media's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy as amended from time to time.
Yes, I would also like to receive SPH Media Group's
SPH Media Limited, its related corporations and affiliates as well as their agents and authorised service providers.
marketing and promotions.
Lee then asked him questions that insulted his modesty, such as asking if he wanted a massage. The boy said no.SPH Media Limited, its related corporations and affiliates as well as their agents and authorised service providers.
marketing and promotions.
A few moments later, Lee used his hand to touch and repeatedly squeeze the victim’s thigh twice.
When the teenager felt uncomfortable and moved out of his seat, Lee held the boy’s waist with his hand as he moved past him.
CCTV footage from the bus, which was played in court, showed Lee molesting the victim. At least five people were seated around them, but they did not seem to notice the crime.
The victim made a police report that day.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Goh Qi Shuen asked for Lee to be jailed for between four and five weeks, adding that he had molested another victim days after the first incident.
Man jailed for assaulting his father and molesting a woman in separate incidentsJail for elderly wheelchair user who molested woman with Down syndrome
At about 11.25am on May 20, 2023, while on the train between the City Hall and Ang Mo Kio MRT stations, Lee asked a 15-year-old boy if he had reached puberty yet.
Lee then used his finger to draw circles on the boy’s thigh, according to charge sheets.
In mitigation, Lee’s lawyer, Mr James Gomez Jovian Messiah, said his client, who is married with a daughter, is a “very family-oriented individual”.
“(Lee’s) wife and his relatives have shown unwavering support in ensuring he is rehabilitated,” said Mr Gomez, adding that his client has not reoffended since.
The lawyer noted his client’s age and his various medical conditions as mitigating factors, and asked that he be given at most three weeks’ jail.
Before handing down the sentence, Deputy Principal District Judge Kessler Soh said he considered the man’s age and that this was his first offence.
Judge Soh also arranged for Lee to see a court counsellor, and allowed the elderly man to start serving his sentence after Chinese New Year, as he wished to spend time with his family.
