Jan 25, 2016
– 11-year-old girl molested in lift by boy in school uniform
– Boy was later identified as Benjamin Lim
- CCTV footage
- Benjamin detoured from normal route to follow girl
- Girl entered lift, Benjamin quickly followed
- Incident took place in lift, captured on CCTV
- Benjamin got off at 13th floor
- Took stairs to 12th floor
- Took lift to ground floor
Investigation: How it was done
– Police went to school in plain clothes and unmarked cars
– Benjamin interviewed by one officer in principal’s office in presence of principal and other educators
– Benjamin interviewed by one officer in police station
– Interview conducted in open plan office, with officer at his workstation. Others were at their workstations
– Mother gave statement to Police
– Benjamin released in about 3.5 hours, went home with mother
Investigation involving young persons
– 2011 to 2015: 7,196 young persons (7-15 years-old) investigated
– 70 per cent warned, placed on Guidance programme or no further action taken
– 15 per cent charged in court
– 15 per cent under consideration
Aim: Priority is to rehabilitate, not criminalise
What would have happened if Benjamin had not taken his life
Police approach to young offenders
– Police try to avoid criminalising the conduct, where possible
– Better to give a second chance, help in rehabilitation
Charges brought against young offenders when:
– Offence is very serious
– Repeat offender
Likely Benjamin would receive no more than a warning
– Taking into account his age
– Also a first-time offence
Tolerant approach is not a licence for young persons to commit crimes
Falsehoods
FALSE: Police not in plainclothes when they went out to identify Benjamin
TRUTH: Police officers were in plain clothes, without any police markings
FALSE: 5 officers interviewed Benjamin and intimidated him, coerced into admission
TRUTH: One officer spoke to him in school, with principal and educators The other police officers were not present Interviewed by one officer at police station
FALSE: Benjamin was not offered food and drink
TRUTH: Benjamin declined the offer of food and drink
FALSE: The girl may not have been molested and made a false report
TRUTH: CCTV footage captured incident
Smear campaign by TOC
The Online Citizen tried to undermine public trust in the police
Published no less than 20 articles as part of smear campaign
Narrative conveyed by TOC articles:
– Police lied about going to school in plain clothes – FALSE
– Police intimidated the boy – FALSE
– Police put pressure on him to confess – FALSE
They want public to think Benjamin was innocent and committed suicide purely because of police actions
Misinformation not only untrue but wholly improper because of upcoming coroner’s inquiry
The New Paper, Shin Min Daily News
