Post by : Rameen Ariff

A 37-year-old man, Imran Syafiq Mohamed Rashid, has been sentenced to 19½ years in prison and 12 strokes of the cane for raping a 61-year-old woman at an exercise corner in Singapore. The shocking incident took place in May 2022 while the offender was on the run after committing multiple other crimes.

According to court reports, Imran had absconded from police supervision and engaged in a series of offences, including assaulting his girlfriend, peeping at a 14-year-old girl, stealing valuables, using drugs, and driving without a licence. His most serious crime occurred in the early morning of May 13, 2022, when he brutally attacked the elderly woman while she was exercising on an elliptical machine near her home.

The woman, who regularly exercised at the same spot, was approached by Imran, who asked to share the equipment. When she stepped aside, he grabbed her from behind, dragged her into nearby bushes, and raped her. After the assault, he threatened to kill her entire family if she reported the crime.

Terrified, the woman returned home in pain and told her husband about the attack. Despite her fear, her husband immediately called the police and stopped her from showering to preserve forensic evidence. Medical examinations later confirmed physical trauma and traces of soil on her body.

Imran was arrested the same day, and his urine test returned positive for methamphetamine and benzodiazepines. He pleaded guilty to 10 charges, including rape, theft, criminal intimidation, and possession of drug utensils. Another 31 offences were considered during sentencing.

During the hearing, prosecutors described Imran as a “recalcitrant offender” who repeatedly violated the law. The judge noted that his crimes were “cold and calculated,” calling his behaviour a threat to public safety. The court imposed a strict punishment — 19 years and 6 months in jail, 12 cane strokes, and a long-term driving ban.

The sentence reflects Singapore’s tough stance on violent sexual crimes, especially those targeting vulnerable victims. The court emphasized that such acts deeply damage victims and the community’s sense of safety, reaffirming that justice will be served swiftly and severely.

#Global