A scientist from the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star) has been arrested for exposing himself and performing a sexual act in a common area of his condominium complex.
Chinese national Xie Danpeng, now 31, had committed the offence at the Barossa Gardens condominium in Pasir Panjang Road on 12 April 2020.
He was then evicted from his unit and prohibited from entering the condominium grounds from 14 April 2020.
However, he returned to the same condominium five days later in an act of trespass.
Here’s what happened.
A*Star Scientist Exposed Himself & Performed Sexual Act at Common Area of Condo on Pasir Panjang Road
On Monday (5 July), Xie pleaded guilty in a district court to two counts of sexual exposure.
He also pleaded guilty to one count each of criminal trespass and an unrelated charge of dishonest misappropriation of property.
According to Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Stephanie Koh, a 37-year-old woman was near her unit on 12 April 2020 when she saw Xie committing the sexual act while staring at her.
She recorded a video of his actions and made a police report.
At the same time, a 26-year-old woman also saw Xie committing the offence and told her boyfriend about it.
The man then confronted Xie, who ran back to his unit.
The man told the condominium’s management about what had happened, and Xie was arrested later that day.
He was then evicted but that did not stop him from trespassing on the property on 19 April 2020. He had entered the condominium through an unlocked door leading to a rubbish collection area.
In June 2020, while Xie had still been under investigation for exposing himself to the two victims at the condominium, he then exposed himself to a third woman, 32, at another location.
In addition, in an unrelated incident that happened on 10 April, Xie had misappropriated a bicycle worth about $600.
The court heard that Xie has had a history of exhibitionistic and adjustment disorders.
Magistrate Lau Qiuyu called for a report to evaluate his suitability for a mandatory treatment order (MTO).
If an MTO is given, offenders will have to go for treatment for their mental problems instead of jail time.
Xie’s bail was set at $20,000 on Monday. He will be sentenced on 2 August.
An offender could face imprisonment of up to one year and a fine for each count of sexual exposure.
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