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Massage outlet owner who allegedly provided sexual services charged for running business during circuit breaker period

Jin Yin, a Singaporean, was accused of keeping the In-Style Beauty Salon at 34 Upper Cross Street open and allowing a 67-year-old man to enter for massage and sexual services on 10 April. (PHOTO: Getty Images)
Jin Yin, a Singaporean, was accused of keeping the In-Style Beauty Salon at 34 Upper Cross Street open and allowing a 67-year-old man to enter for massage and sexual services on 10 April. (PHOTO: Getty Images)

SINGAPORE — The owner of an unlicensed massage outlet who allegedly provided sexual services was charged on Wednesday (29 April) for keeping her business open during the circuit breaker period.

Jin Yin, a Singaporean, is accused of keeping the In-Style Beauty Salon at 34 Upper Cross Street open and allowing a 67-year-old man to enter for massage and sexual services on 10 April. During the circuit breaker period, which began on 7 April, businesses providing non-essential services have been ordered to close.

The 55-year-old allegedly charged him a fee of $150 for the services. The offence constitutes a breach of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020, which states that an owner or occupier of any premises that are not residential must ensure that the premises are closed to entry by any individual.

Jin faces one charge for running an unlicensed massage outlet and another for paying an agent to advertise her salon’s services on the Locanto.sg website despite not having a licensed business, a breach of the Massage Establishments Act.

She was previously convicted of Massage Establishments Act contraventions in November 2014 and June 2016, which makes her liable to enhanced punishments if she is found to have reoffended.

Speaking through a Mandarin interpreter, Jin said she intended to plead guilty. Breaking down in tears, she told the court that her mother had died in September last year after contracting cancer, and that she offended as she was worried and needed a lot of money to pay off her debts.

“I know I made a mistake... my mother contracted cancer in March, last year I did not work, in March my mother underwent operation, I came back in May last year,” said Jin.

The prosecution applied for a two-week adjournment and Jin will next appear in court on 13 May.

If convicted of breaching the Control Order, Jin may be jailed up to six months, fined up to $10,000, or both. For advertising massage services without a license, she could be jailed up to two years, fined up to $10,000, or both.

If convicted of running the massage establishment without a license again, she may be jailed up to five years or fined up to $20,000.

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