The trial of a Singapore-based British man who allegedly molested his former colleague’s wife at a work event began yesterday, nearly two years after the incident in question allegedly occurred.
Benjamin James Henry, 35, was employed as a teacher at United World College of Southeast Asia (UWCSEA), an international school in Queenstown, when he allegedly got inappropriately handsy at the Singapore Cricket Club on June 17, 2017, Channel News Asia reported. On that evening, Henry reportedly ran his hand down his colleague’s wife’s back, down her waist, and eventually, on to her rear end.
The victim, a 53-year-old woman, testified at the trial yesterday, during which she said that the incident occurred just as she and her husband were leaving the event, reported the Malay Mail. She said she grabbed Henry’s hand and confronted him on the spot, asking: “Why are you touching me? Why have you got your hand on my buttock?”
The woman said that Henry suddenly woke up as if he were in a trance, and told her: “Get real, I am gay!” in response. Then he walked away without addressing the matter further.
After telling her husband what had happened, another staff member at the school, a man named Joe McWilliams, told the couple that it was all a misunderstanding, and that it was likely that Henry didn’t remember what he had done, as Henry had been drinking for the past seven hours, reported Today.
The woman then alleges that following this exchange, McWilliams became hostile and accused the woman of “ruining” the night with her unjustified accusation of molestation. She also reported that other people at the party treated her with similar animosity, with one female attendee even giving her the middle finger.
Another woman present at the event, whom the victim described as a close friend, offered to speak to Henry and ask for an apology. However, this friend allegedly began having doubts about the victim’s account and asked her if it was really Henry who molested her.
The victim testified that it took them six months before they filed a police report because their friends were unsympathetic and UWCSEA didn’t offer them any support. She also said she didn’t want to ruin Henry’s life and career.
She said that Henry later contacted her husband, and said that he was willing to discuss what occurred. Their meeting, which was mediated by a UWCSEA counselor, ended with Henry still refusing to admit that he touched the victim inappropriately.
The victim denied Henry’s lawyer’s suggestion that she had been drinking that night and that alcohol clouded her judgment. She also denied the lawyer’s suggestion that she didn’t report the crime immediately because she wasn’t sure if Henry did it intentionally or if it was all an accident.
The woman said that the alleged molestation gave her post-traumatic stress disorder and insomnia. The incident left her feeling violated and stripped of her dignity, she said, and as a result, she has begun taking medication to manage her anxiety and sleeplessness.
If found guilty, Henry could be jailed for two years, fined, and/or caned.
