Currently on trial for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy in a toilet at Tampines Eco Green Park, an elderly man claimed that it was the victim who initiated the misdeed in the first place.
Chua Hock Leong, 63, went into the fourth day of his trial today, and he’s denying that he performed oral sex on the boy on Jan 27 last year, The Straits Times reported.
The victim’s mother lodged a police report about the alleged sexual assault — her son had been relieving himself inside the cubicle for the handicapped when Chua was said to have barged in and performed oral sex on the boy. The victim later pushed Chua away and ran off.
Yesterday, however, Chua gave a different version of the incident in court. He testified that it was the boy who made the first move by asking him, “Uncle, want to play or not?”. Chua took it to mean that the boy wanted a sexual encounter.
Chua also alleged that the boy suggested they head to Hotel 81 — but Chua said he refused as they needed to be registered at the front desk. The boy was then said to have suggested heading to Tampines Eco Green Park.
According to Chua, the victim then relieved himself in the park toilet before telling the man that he wanted to play, and his pants were still unzipped. Chua said he declined as there were CCTV cameras in the toilet.
The retiree continued to say that they went to another spot, where he masturbated in the bushes while the boy kept a lookout. He also claimed that the boy touched his semen, and that he asked for money.
Chua says he took out nearly $2 in coins from his bag and gave it to the boy. This was how his DNA could have ended up on the boy’s boxers, Chua explained in his defence. Chua’s DNA was found on the inside of the boy’s boxer shorts.
The prosecution then pointed out that the boy was wearing a pair of PE shorts that had no zippers during the time of the incident — to which Chua stated that he could have been mistaken.
As to why Chua didn’t give his account to the police earlier on, he explained that he was not listening properly in court and didn’t know what he was being charged with. He also admitted that he felt “shameful” to tell the cops that he had been masturbating in public.
The case is ongoing. If convicted of sexual assault by penetration, Chua could face up to 20 years in jail. Due to his age, he is not liable for caning.
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