9 years’ jail for female teacher who committed sexual acts on female student on bus, in school toilet

“They eventually entered into what the victim described as a ‘situationship’ and engaged in a series of sexual encounters from Oct 13, to Nov 21, 2023,” said Ms Yeo.

The first encounter occurred in a karaoke room on Oct 13, 2023.

Over the next two days, the teacher and student discussed the first encounter, and both agreed to stop engaging in further acts.

However, on Oct 16, after the student finished an exam, the teacher took the student to a female staff toilet where they committed another sexual act.

They continued committing the acts at various locations, including on the upper deck of a double-decker bus and in a room rented to watch movies.

Ms Yeo said that after the teacher and student fell out, the student informed her Child Protection Services-appointed safety adult on Jan 16, 2024 that she had been sexually assaulted on three occasions.

The matter was referred to the school’s vice principal, who then took the student to lodge a police report the next day.

Following this, the student would break down in school as the environment reminded her of what happened. She was then diagnosed with adjustment disorder.

The court also heard that the student suffered from insomnia, had suicidal thoughts, nightmares, flashbacks and recurrent thoughts about the offences.

She struggled to focus, had difficulty trusting adults and would have panic attacks.

A doctor from the Institute of Mental Health said that her symptoms were consistent with a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD).

“REMORSEFUL”

Deputy Public Prosecutor Selene Yap and Ms Yeo called for a total sentence of eight years’ and 14 to 16 months’ imprisonment, describing the relationship and acts as “exploitative”.

The teacher was represented by Mr Kalaithasan Karuppaya of Regent Law LLC.

Mr Kalaithasan said during mitigation that she was remorseful, as evident from her cooperation with investigations and her plea of guilt.

He called for a sentence of eight years’ and six months’ jail.

“Her actions were due to a lapse in judgment. This is a scar that will remain with her for the rest of her life,” said Mr Kalaithasan.

He added that the woman had sought professional help from a psychiatrist.

Her husband also provided a testimonial of her as a wife and mother to a four-year-old, and said that he believes she is “capable of genuine rehabilitation”.

In meting out the sentence, Judge Chan said that the woman had made “serious errors of judgement” and that her actions crossed professional boundaries.

He also acknowledged the harm caused to the victim, but added that he hoped the woman would turn over a new leaf.

“I have read the many testimonials tendered to you, and it’s clear you have many redeeming qualities. Upon your release, apply these qualities for the benefit of your family and wider community,” he said.

After the sentence was read out, the woman began to cry.

For sexual penetration of a minor, she could have been jailed for up to 20 years and fined. While the punishment for such a crime includes caning, criminals above the age of 50 and women cannot be caned.

She also faced a fine of up to S$10,000, jail for up to five years, or both, for sexually exploiting a minor.