SINGAPORE – Just months after completing a jail sentence for previous sexual offences, 66-year-old Cheng Sang Tai returned to court on June 3 for yet another molestation charge—this time for outraging the modesty of a 72-year-old woman working as a cleaner.
Cheng, a repeat offender, pleaded guilty to one charge of molestation and was sentenced to seven weeks in jail. Three additional similar charges were considered in sentencing. Due to a gag order, details identifying the elderly victim and the location of the incident cannot be disclosed.
According to Deputy Public Prosecutor Xu Sijia, Cheng had previously been convicted in November 2024 for molestation and was sentenced to one week in jail. He also received an eight-week sentence for sexual exposure during the same period. However, his release did not mark an end to his criminal behavior.
In the most recent case, which occurred in April 2025, Cheng encountered the victim at a local coffee shop where she was employed. Without provocation or consent, he approached her and squeezed her right buttock before walking away. The woman reported the incident, and the police were alerted on April 18. Cheng was subsequently arrested and charged.
DPP Xu noted that Cheng’s repeat offences demonstrated a troubling pattern of sexual misconduct, and she highlighted his prior conviction as an aggravating factor in the sentencing. The prosecution pushed for a custodial sentence to reflect the seriousness of the crime and the need to protect vulnerable individuals in the community.
The court heard that Cheng, despite his age, posed an ongoing threat to women—particularly those in vulnerable settings. The victim, already advanced in age and performing physically demanding work, was targeted while simply going about her job duties.
Under Singapore law, molestation carries a penalty of up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine, caning, or any combination thereof. However, Cheng was not eligible for caning due to his age, as offenders above 50 are exempt.
While his sentence of seven weeks may appear modest, it reflects both the limitations imposed by his age and the fact that this offence was handled in accordance with sentencing guidelines for similar acts. Nevertheless, the court’s consideration of Cheng’s previous convictions served as a stern reminder of the seriousness with which repeat sexual offences are treated in Singapore’s judicial system.
This case has again brought attention to the broader issue of sexual harassment and abuse of the elderly—a demographic often overlooked in discussions of victim protection. Advocates stress the importance of safeguarding older workers, especially those in low-wage, public-facing roles such as cleaners and food service workers.
Cheng Sang Tai is now back behind bars. Whether this latest jail term will mark the end of his repeated offending remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is the need for sustained vigilance and support mechanisms to ensure that vulnerable populations are not subjected to such indignities.
