A tip-off by the Australian authorities to the Singapore police led to the arrest of a teaching assistant who systematically groomed and sexually abused 11 boys he had met at an after-school care centre over a seven-year period.
Another 54 charges – including one for aggravated rape, another 23 for sexual assault by penetration and 22 for sexual penetration of a minor – were considered during sentencing. The man "exhibited a calculated cunning in the manner he preyed on the naivete and childish sensibilities of his young victims", added Justice Chionh.
The court heard that the man spent his primary school years at the centre, which provided after-school care and enrichment courses for children aged six to 12. He began with seemingly innocent physical contact, such as hugging them, before progressing to performing sexual acts on the boys and getting them to perform sexual acts on him.At times, he made the boys perform sexual acts on each other.The court heard that in 2015, the mother of victim V7, who was in Primary 5, confronted the man over the text messages, such as "I love you baby", he sent her son.