A PEOPLE'S Action Party grassroots leader who molested a 14-year-old girl in a hotel room two years ago was fined $2,000 on Wednesday.
David Chee Dah Wei, 29, an insurance agent, pleaded guilty to hugging the girl at a hotel in Upper Serangoon Road at about 3am on June 4, 2007.
A district court heard that the victim, who is now 16, befriended Chee in 2006. He was then vice-chairman of the Paya Lebar Kovan youth executive committee.
On June 4, 2007 at around 1am, the victim was out with Chee at a bowling centre.
Her father had been trying to get her to go home but she refused.
She followed Chee around. He subsequently took her to Hotel 81 Kovan at about 3am.
While surfing the Internet at the corner of the bed, he hugged her from behind. She pushed him away because she was scared and uncomfortable with his actions.
Earlier that day, she had seen a packet of condoms inside his backpack, said Deputy Public Prosecutor Lynda Lee.
She subsequently left the hotel with two of her friends who came to the hotel to look for her.
Pleading for a fine, Mr Chung Ping Shen said the act was minor, and the incident occurred wiithout any premeditation on his part.
He urged District Judge Roy Neighbour to consider his client's excellent record in serving the community and his involvement in various grassroots activities.
Chee could have been jailed for up to two years or fined or caned or received any two of such punishments.
--ST
Disgrace.
....
LSH, sack him..