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Man impersonated police officer to rape and sexually assault student, court told

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The identity of the victim cannot be revealed due to a High Court gag order. (Yahoo file photo)

The teenage couple was behaving intimately on the 11th floor staircase landing at a block of flats in Woodlands on 9 October 2013 when they spotted someone peering at them from the 12th floor.

The couple, who were both 16 at that time, then found Muhammad Firman Jumali Chew hiding behind a wall on the 12th floor. They panicked and decided to leave and went to the lift landing where they were allegedly confronted by Firman.

Identifying himself as a police officer, Firman, 30, allegedly questioned the couple and demanded to see their identity cards before instructing the boy to leave him and the girl alone.

Firman then allegedly brought the girl to another block of flats where he proceeded to rape her.

Victim testified via video-link

Firman, who was working as a pizza delivery rider during the incident, appeared before Judicial Commissioner Hoo Sheau Peng on Tuesday (24 May) and claimed trial to one charge of rape, one charge of sexual assault by penetration and one charge of impersonating a police officer.

The victim’s identity cannot be revealed due to a gag order. She took the stand on Tuesday at the High Court via a video-link.

Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Sharmila Sripathy-Shanaz told the court in her opening address that Firman brought the victim to a nearby block of flats where he asked her if she wanted her parents to find out what she has done with her boyfriend.

According to the DPP, the girl begged Firman not to report her and even offered him money. Firman then proceeded to rape and sexually assault her.

DPP Sharmila said that the victim complied with Firman’s instructions at all times as she believed he was a police officer and feared that he would inform the police, her school and parents about her sexual activities with her boyfriend.

The hearing will continue on Wednesday (25 May). If found guilty of rape and sexual assault by penetration, Firman could be jailed up to 20 years, and also be fined and caned for each charge. For impersonating a public servant, he faces a jail term of up to two years.

(Update 25 May 2016: We have updated the headline to indicate that the offences were allegedly committed)