Prosecutors seek at least 17 years’ jail, 24 strokes of cane for rapist
Reuters file photo
SINGAPORE — Three years after she was raped by Lim Choon Beng three times in 20 minutes on Chinese New Year’s Eve, she remains fearful of male strangers and relives the trauma whenever Chinese New Year approaches.
And when Lim’s trial began on Tuesday (May 3), she broke down when she saw him in court.
Citing the trauma inflicted on the woman, now 27, prosecutors on Friday asked for at least 17 years’ jail and 24 strokes of the cane for Lim, which is the maximum number of strokes allowed.
Lim, 30, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to two counts of rape, after insisting he did not remember his actions as he had been drinking. He also pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated outrage of modesty, and one of sexually penetrating the victim without her consent.
His lawyer Anand Nalachandran has asked for a jail term of between 13 and 15 years with caning, citing Lim’s admission of guilt as a sign of “genuine remorse”.
On Feb 9, 2013 at about 3am, the victim — a Chinese national who worked here as a club singer — was walking along Havelock Road to her apartment.
Lim, who was walking ahead of her, turned around and asked her if she was a Chinese national and if she liked American men.
Despite her attempts to brush him off, Lim, who had been drinking, grabbed her and pushed her backwards onto a grass patch in front of the Watermark condominium.
Over the next 20 minutes, he proceeded to rape her at three different locations, at one point slamming her head against the wall of Robertson 100 condo.
A female security guard at The Inspira condo called the police after she saw Lim on top of the crying victim. The victim later managed to escape from Lim and sought help from a passing driver.
When she returned to River Valley Close and saw found police officers at the scene with Lim, she immediately pointed to him as the person who raped her.
In court on Friday, deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Zhuo Wenzhao, pointing to Lim’s sustained assault, said: “Each time the victim thought that the traumatising experience has ended, the accused (Lim) shattered her hopes by bringing her to a different location and repeating the sexual violence.”
Despite the overwhelming evidence against Lim, he still claimed trial, which meant the victim had to return to court and relive the incident. “It was only after the victim had given her evidence in a convincing manner that the accused (Lim) decided to plead guilty,” said DPP Zhuo.
Lim’s plea of guilt, he said, is “more of a reflection of his negative assessment of the merits of his defence, rather than a true demonstration of a contrite heart”.
He also pointed out that the victim, who was unable to carry on her job in Singapore and had returned to China, has been suffering from recurring nightmares since the attacks and is unable to sleep well.
Also, Lim’s attacks took place in open areas along public roads, reflecting his “utter disregard for the law”, noted DPP Zhuo.
In his client’s defence, Mr Anand, who assigned to defend Lim under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, argued that his client claimed trial as he had “no recollection” of the offences due to his alcohol amnesia.
Lim, he said, only remembered holding a shot of alcohol, and later being surrounded by police officers. Calling his client’s plea of guilt “indicative of genuine remorse”, Mr Anand said his client, upon hearing the victim’s evidence, decided to accept responsibility for his actions as he did not want to prolong her agony.
Mr Anand also noted that there was no physical injury caused to the victim — a point DPP Zhuo countered with the fact that Lim had threatened the victim with bodily harm if she resisted him.
“Our client is presently 30 years old and was 26 years old at the material time, and these 20 minutes have permanently altered the course of his life,” he added.
The case will be heard again next Tuesday. The maximum punishment for rape and sexual assault is 20 years’ jail,and caning or a fine.
