Former Singapore youth worker jailed over sexual offences involving 15-year-old girl

In Singapore, a former youth worker has been sentenced to two years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl who once resided at the establishment where he worked. According to The Straits Times, the 31-year-old man admitted guilt on Thursday to three counts of sexually penetrating a minor, with five additional charges factored into the sentencing.

The court heard that the girl had been housed at the man's residence due to family turmoil and had formed romantic feelings for him, despite his role not formally encompassing care for her. Even though staff were barred from privately reaching out to residents, the man initiated contact with her via Telegram in March 2022 following her relocation to another home.

He subsequently initiated a relationship with the girl, frequently picking her up from school and engaging in sexual acts with her. Deputy Public Prosecutor Yohanes Ng informed the court that the man coerced the girl into partaking in a sexual act in May 2022, despite her initial hesitation, and later continued to engage in sexual activity with her at his residence.

The misconduct came to light when a staff member at the girl’s new dwelling observed her wearing an army T-shirt, leading to the disclosure of her connection with the man, who subsequently resigned. The perpetrator, arrested in June 2026, remains unnamed due to a court-imposed gag order safeguarding the girl’s identity.