Former polytechnic scholar admits to filming student in toilet
UPDATE: Story updated with statement from NYP.
SINGAPORE — A Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) student pleaded guilty to filming a fellow male student in one of the school’s toilets on Tuesday (26 November), adding that he has since been stripped of his scholarship over the offence.
Brandon Mandolang Yong Fu, who is listed as a student leader on the NYP website, had filmed his teenage victim after feeling the urge to watch pornographic material.
A probation suitability report was called for the 18-year-old, who admitted in the State Courts to one count of engaging in insulting behaviour with the intention of harassing his victim. The offences comes under the Protection from Harassment Act.
Yong’s victim, who is also 18, cannot be named to protect his identity.
Felt urge to watch pornography
On 2, May Yong entered the cubicle of an NYP toilet to relieve himself. He then felt the urge to masturbate and begin searching for pornography online using his smartphone.
At about 11.15am, the victim entered the cubicle beside the one Yong was in. Yong then decided to record a video of the victim and held his smartphone over the cubicle partition.
When the victim looked up, he noticed the mobile phone with its camera pointing at him. Yong then quickly pulled the phone away. By then, he had recorded the victim for about one to two minutes.
The victim waited outside Yong’s cubicle to confront him but left after 15 minutes as he was late for class. CCTV cameras near the toilet’s entrance caught Yong entering it before the victim and leaving after him.
Suspended from school, lost scholarship
Yong, who was unrepresented, said that he has been suspended for a semester from the school and also lost his scholarship.
“I apologise to the victim, my family and lecturer and all who are involved. After the incident, I have reflected and deeply regret doing that and also I have been undergoing counselling,” he said.
“(I) hope to be given a second change and promise this is my last encounter with the court,” he added.
In response to queries from Yahoo News Singapore, an NYP spokesperson confirmed that Yong is still a student.
“Brandon was suspended earlier this year and his scholarship has been rescinded. He has also been removed from the executive committee position of his CCA,” the spokesperson said.
“As the case is due for sentencing next month, we are unable to comment further. In the meantime, we have offered counselling and support to the affected students.”
Yong will return to court on 24 December for his sentencing. For causing harassment by using insulting behaviour, Yong faces a jail term of up to six months along with a possible fine of up to $5,000.
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