A woman’s planned dinner with her former boss in Singapore last February turned into a night of drinking, "risque" conversation, and alleged rape or sexual assault. The former boss, a 49-year-old male known as "A", and a second man, 50-year-old "B", went on trial on September 2 for charges including rape or sexual assault, molestation, and obstructing justice by deleting messages. Due to a gag order, their identities and nationalities cannot be disclosed, but both men are foreigners.

Background

The alleged victim had previously worked under A and maintained contact with him. She did not know B personally but was aware of his professional reputation, as he had been friends with A for 20 years. Upon discovering they would both be in Singapore, A suggested meeting the victim for dinner on February 26, 2023.

But no dinner

The dinner never occurred. That afternoon, both men consumed alcohol in B's hotel room at the Carlton Hotel in Bras Basah and shared a portion of Viagra. They were later joined by a 52-year-old woman, Ms J, who had a casual intimate relationship with B. Ms J and B kissed on the bed while A was seated in the corner. The men allegedly mentioned having a threesome, but Ms J rejected the idea and left for her own dinner appointment around 6 pm. Subsequently, A asked the victim to purchase tonic and come to his hotel room, where both men encouraged her to drink heavily.

Passed out

The conversation turned "risque and bawdy," and the victim passed out, drifting in and out of consciousness. She claimed she had no memory of what happened next but alleged that someone removed her clothes and violated her. She also stated she said "no" multiple times. A left the hotel room around 8:20 pm. The woman woke up at 1 am the next day, naked in bed with B, feeling sore, with a headache and difficulty breathing. At 3 am, she dressed and confronted B, expressing that she felt she had been raped.

"How are you feeling?"

At 12:43 pm, A texted the victim asking how she was feeling and remarked, "Not going to be drinking for a while now?" She responded, asking him to explain what had happened the previous night. They agreed to meet for coffee later, as she was "still weak." Before the meeting, the woman went to Raffles Hospital for an examination and was referred to KK Women's and Children's Hospital, which lodged a police report. The two men were arrested at the hotel that afternoon. B is also accused of deleting communications with A, including a photo of the victim lying naked on the shower floor.

Trial continues

The prosecution will seek to admit video-recorded statements from the two men, where they allegedly admitted to the acts. Witnesses from Carlton Hotel and doctors from Changi General Hospital and the Institute of Mental Health's Department of Forensic Psychiatry will also be called. For rape and sexual assault by penetration, an offender could face up to 20 years in jail, and be fined or caned.