SINGAPORE: After meeting a friend oil seller at an industry occasion, a person tried to put alcohol into her lips at a bar.
Despite the person’s refusal, the man after slapped her buttocks half.
European national Arrica Frank, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of outraging the 24- season- old Singaporean defendant’s humility on Wednesday ( May 29 ).  ,
A second charge of this nature will be taken into account for sentencing.
The victim was introduced to Arrica at a recent industry event held at Synthesis Suntec for oil traders on April 27.  ,
They shook hands and shared brief introductions, but had no further interactions at the event itself, the court heard.
Arrica drank alcohol before joining other peers for a nightclub’s Avenue Lounge social night. Additionally, the victim left the club at around 1 a.m. the following morning.
Arrica attempted to pour alcohol from a bottle into the victim’s mouth at around 1.15 a.m.
The victim turned away from him.
Arrica walked to the spot where the woman was standing with her back to him at about 2.30am while the victim was speaking to someone else at the club.
He slapped her buttocks over her pants without her consent, on two occasions.
The victim felt uncomfortable and violated. Arrica continued to try to get more of her, and she turned away from him and left behind her friends to stop Arrica from getting any closer to her.
Arrica did not make an admission that she had committed the crime in a police statement in May 2023. Additionally, he again denied it in a second statement from October 2023.
Arrica is being detained for a week in prison, according to Deputy Public Prosecutor Suriya Prakash. He claimed Arrica chose to walk to the victim and remain close to her before abusing her.
The offence was also committed in a nightclub, where the premises are often dimly lit and detection is difficult, he said.
Between January 2023 and September 2023, there were 106 outrage of modesty cases reported at these locations, compared to 77 during the same time period in 2022.
Mr. Yusfiyanto Yatiman and Ms. Stephania Wong from Rajah &, Tann represent Arrica.
After some discussion with the prosecutor, the defense attorneys were given time to amend their mitigation plea.
In July, Arrica will go back to court to be sentenced and for mitigation.
The penalties for outrage of modesty are a maximum three years ‘ jail, a fine, caning, or any combination of these punishments.