Man molested woman in front of witnesses

Despite the presence of witnesses, he molested a 27-year-old woman from China.

His victim could hardly breathe from the force of his right arm gripping her neck.

But the woman, who cannot be named to protect her identity, still managed to shout for help - and sealed Singaporean Hsu Yisong's fate.

Two men at an open-air carpark on Mackenzie Road noticed her distress just after 3.30am on Jan 25 last year, and caughtHsu as he was fleeing.

Yesterday, Hsu, 25, was sentenced to two years' jail and three strokes of the cane for outraging the woman's modesty using wrongful restraint.

The court heard that the victim, who was then working as a performing artist, was walking on Mackenzie Road towards Bukit Timah Road when she sensed she was being tailed.

At the open-air carpark, she turned around and saw Hsu behind her, said Deputy Public Prosecutor Sruthi Boppana.

She assumed it was safe to continue walking as there were people at the carpark, including Singaporeans Shashi Ramparch and Suvin Sasi, and their friends.

But Hsu suddenly ran towards her, restrained her in a neck lock with his right arm, and used his left hand to lift her top before molesting her.

She shouted and tried to push Hsu's hand away. He continued his attack by trying to pull her shorts down, but failed.

STRUGGLE

During the struggle, she managed to break free after biting Hsu's arm.

After hearing the woman's shouts, Mr Suvin, Mr Shashi and their friends rushed to her aid.

Hsu fled towards Sim Lim Square with Mr Suvin and Mr Shashi in pursuit. Hsu then turned into Selegie Road and boarded a taxi.

But he did not get far, and his pursuers managed to detain him.

The police were alerted and they arrested Hsu soon after.

The victim was taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where she was found to have suffered three scratch marks on her lower abdomen and small bruising on both her upper arms.

Hsu could have been jailed for up to 10 years for the offence.