A lieutenant colonel who has been suspended from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) admitted to breaking into the hostel of a Nanyang Technological University (NTU) student and molesting her.
According to Zaobao, the 47-year-old Singaporean, known as Neo Aik Chiao, also offered the female student $1,000 to keep him company. Neo only ran off after the female student called her friend for help.
The incident took place at around 2am on 13 November 2022 at NTU’s female hostel.
Neo was a lieutenant colonel from the RSAF during the time of the incident. He pleaded guilty to one charge each of criminal trespass and molestation, with another charge taken into consideration.
The court heard that the victim, a 21-year-old female student was using her mobile phone in her room when she heard someone knocking on the door. Before she could react, Neo had barged into her unlocked room and locked the door upon entering it.
Neo sat on the victim’s bed and told her that he felt thirsty from climbing up the stairs. He requested for some water from the victim. However, the victim told Neo to go to the water cooler on another floor.
However, Neo continued sitting on her bed and asked her questions. He found out that she came from China and offered her $1,000 to keep him company.
The female student then realized that Neo was making a sexual request and felt uncomfortable and told him to leave. Instead of leaving, Neo touched the victim’s thigh. He also said that the door was locked and asked the female student again if $1,000 was enough.
Scared and shocked, the victim pushed Neo away and shouted at him to leave.
Reportedly, Neo had also broken into the room of another 18-year-old female student.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Wong Shiau Yin noted that the offences took place in the wee hours of the morning, in a student hostel where the victim ought to feel safe.
The prosecutor also added that Neo was very persistent in his attempts to pursue the victim, despite her repeated rejections. A report also indicated that Neo was voluntarily intoxicated by alcohol at the time of the offence, and asked for at least 12 weeks’ jail.
