Man involved in triple rape is an alcoholic: lawyer
Rapist Lim Choon Beng has pleaded guilty in the High Court and is awaiting sentence.
The man who raped a performing artist from China thrice in 20 minutes in 2013 claimed that he had amnesia caused by overdrinking when he committed the offences.
Lim Choon Beng, 30, pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, and one count each of outraging the woman’s modesty and sexually penetrating her without her consent on Wednesday (4 May) before Justice Foo Chee Hock.
In the High Court on Friday (6 May), Anand Nalachandran, Lim’s lawyer, argued that his client has issues with alcohol abuse and had consumed a lot of alcohol prior to raping the woman.
Media reports indicated that Lim had raped the woman at around 3 am on 9 February 2013 after he went drinking with his friends at a bar in Robertson Quay.
Lim raped the woman at three different locations at Rodyk Street and River Valley Close. The then 24-year-old victim had pleaded with Lim to stop and told him that she was having her period but he ignored her and forced himself on her.
“His recollection of the incident was holding on to a shot of alcohol before the incident and being approached by the police at the side of the road after the incident,” said Anand.
In mitigation, Anand cited a report by a medical expert who said that alcohol has taken a “firm grip” on Lim’s life and that Lim has a pattern of drinking with “no limit”.
Calling for a sentence of between 13 and 15 years and caning, Anand that his client was suffering from an alcohol blackout when the rape took place. Lim was remorseful for causing hurt to his victim, Anand added.
However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Zhuo Wenzhao highlighted the seriousness of the offences, saying that Lim had repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted his victim at three different locations.
Zhuo called for a strong deterrent sentence and said that Lim should be jailed at least 17 years and given 24 strokes of the cane. He added that Lim had raped a woman who was a stranger to him in a public place.
“The attacks left the victim traumatised and she had already left Singapore for China. The incidents left her afraid to face male strangers alone,” said Zhuo.
The case was adjourned and Justice Foo will deliver his sentence on 10 May.