Poly student who took upskirt photos of women in one month given probation
SINGAPORE — A 20-year-old polytechnic student was caught red-handed taking upskirt photos of a 17-year-old victim at a bookstore in December 2017, a court heard on Monday (11 November).
A forensic analysis of Shaun Ng Wei Xuan’s phone found at least 243 compromising photos, including upskirt ones, of various women that were taken on at least 134 separate occasions between 17 October and 28 November 2017.
At the State Courts on Monday, Ng, now 22, was given 21 months’ probation having earlier pleaded guilty to two charges of insulting the modesty of women.
Another count of insulting the modesty of women was considered in sentencing.
As part of his probation sentence, he will have to remain indoors between 10pm and 6am, and also perform 120 hours of community service.
Caught red-handed
The Community Court heard that Ng started taking upskirt photos in October 2017. He would target victims in revealing clothing such as short dresses, short skirts and tight dresses. Ng committed his crimes on escalators, in shops, as well as on trains and buses.
On a train, he would stand next to his victim and put his phone at his thigh area. And on a bus, he would hold his phone up as though he was texting someone, but take upskirt photos of victims who sat opposite him.
On 3 December 2017, Ng squatted down at the gift card section at the Popular bookstore chain’s outlet at Hougang Mall. He placed his phone beneath her skirt and took a few photos of the victim.
A 24-year-old man saw what Ng was doing and confronted the perpetrator. The eyewitness also asked the victim if she wanted to call the police.
Ng then tried to leave the store but was detained by the bystander near the store exit. The victim asked Ng to delete the compromising photos of her and he complied. She then called the police.
The maximum punishment for insulting the modesty of a woman is up to one year in jail and a fine, per charge.
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