In a shocking turn of events, a 34-year-old man was sentenced to 15 years in jail and 14 strokes of the cane after being found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl he met on a mobile chat app.
Mookkapillai Pazhanivel, an Indian national, had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges but was later convicted following a trial that began in April. The sexual acts took place on April 18, 2022, at a secluded open space near Sixth Avenue MRT station.
Throughout the proceedings, Deputy Public Prosecutor Jiang Ke-Yue highlighted Mookkapillai's lack of remorse, obstruction of the trial through a hunger strike "stunt", victim-blaming, and false accusations against police officers. The DPP described these actions as "nothing more than a stunt" to obstruct the trial.
Mookkapillai also engaged in baseless allegations that he had been treated roughly by police officers. However, High Court Judge Aidan Xu rejected his excuses, stating that Mookkapillai chose to take advantage of a very young person to satisfy his lust.
The victim met Mookkapillai on Telegram and sent him a message saying "sweet sweet" when she was 13 years old. He asked her to meet him, and when she agreed, he sexually assaulted and raped her at the designated location.
In a disturbing turn of events, Mookkapillai repeatedly sent the victim messages asking her to meet him again after the initial assault. When she refused, he used other accounts to send her sexually explicit messages.
The victim eventually told her mother about the harassment and lodged a police report, leading to Mookkapillai's eventual arrest on March 21, 2023.
In sentencing arguments, the DPP noted that Mookkapillai hid behind pseudonyms in his communications with the victim and refused to provide his name even when she asked him for it. The court rejected his plea for a third charge, and another trial will be held in the State Courts in relation to the remaining charges.
Mookkapillai's case is a stark reminder of the dangers of mobile marketing and the importance of keeping our children safe online. As we navigate the digital world, it is crucial that we prioritize their well-being and take steps to prevent such heinous crimes from occurring.