SINGAPORE: A former National University of Singapore (NUS) lecturer who was sacked over sexual misconduct allegations was acquitted of molestation by a court on Monday (Jan 29).
Dr Jeremy Fernando, 44, was granted a discharge amounting to an acquittal for a charge of using criminal force on a female victim at about 4am on Jul 4, 2020, by kissing her on her lips.
In a statement to CNA on Tuesday through his lawyers, Mr R Thrumurgan and Ms Tan Jun Yin of Trident Law, Dr Fernando said: “I am thankful for the outcome and grateful for all the support of family and friends over these last few years.”
Dr Fernando was originally set to go to trial in February, but the charge has been withdrawn.
He was formerly a lecturer at Tembusu College and was dismissed in October 2020 after NUS made a police report about him allegedly behaving “inappropriately” as a member of its teaching staff and “(falling) short of the standards of professionalism that the university expects”.
For molestation, he could have been jailed for up to two years, fined, caned, or given any combination of these punishments.
A spokesperson for the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) told CNA on Tuesday that the prosecution “acceded” to Dr Fernando’s request to have the matter compounded.
This was after reviewing “the facts and circumstances of the case, as well as with the victim’s agreement”, the spokesperson said.
Under the law in Singapore, certain offences can be compounded if the accused pays an undisclosed sum to the alleged victim.
After the composition was paid, the court granted Dr Fernando a discharge amounting to an acquittal.
This means he cannot be charged again over the same offence.
According to the Criminal Procedure Code, if a person has already been charged in court over the offence, it can only be compounded with the consent of the public prosecutor on the conditions the prosecution imposes.
CNA has contacted NUS for more information.