Adapted from reporting by The Straits Times (Nov 26, 2025).
A 49-year-old renovation contractor, Koh Lee Hwa, has been sentenced to 12 years and three weeks’ jail and 13 strokes of the cane for raping and molesting a woman inside her own home — a place the High Court described as her “sanctuary.”
Koh, who carried out renovation jobs for the victim since 2015, returned to her flat on 23 August 2021 to fix a faulty light and circuit switch. Instead, he sexually assaulted her in her bedroom after forcibly hugging her multiple times without consent.
Claimed He Was ‘Righteous and Upright’
Throughout the trial, Koh insisted he was a “righteous and upright person” and claimed the sex was consensual.
He argued that:
- the victim supposedly “pulled his arm” first
- their encounter lasted “only slightly over 10 minutes,” which he bizarrely compared to a “standard” duration of sex with his wife
- the victim said the word “money” as he left, suggesting she had “motives”
Justice Mavis Chionh dismissed his explanations as “devoid of merit.” She found the victim’s testimony “unusually convincing,” noting she:
- struggled during the assault
- resisted his actions
- immediately texted friends saying she was “scared”
- appeared dazed, frozen and unable to speak coherently when friends arrived afterwards
Even Koh admitted he had never received any indication of romantic or sexual interest from her.
How the Assault Happened
Koh visited the victim’s flat on:
- Aug 21, 2021 – initial repair request
- Aug 22 – fixed a switch
- Aug 23 – returned to complete the job
While she was checking the repaired lights in her master bedroom toilet, Koh:
- pushed her against the dressing table
- forced a hug on her
- ignored her pleas to stop
- raped her on her bed
Prosecutors stressed that Koh violated her inside her own room — a space where she should have felt safest.
Aftermath and Sentencing
Following his conviction on Oct 28, Koh was sentenced on Nov 26, 2025.
He was found guilty of:
- 1 count of rape
- 1 count of sexual assault by penetration
- 2 counts of outrage of modesty
Koh intends to appeal the conviction and sentence. Although his legal team (led by lawyer Ariffin Sha) has no instructions to act further, Koh’s daughter agreed to post $80,000 bail. Koh is a Singapore permanent resident.
Judge’s Remarks
Justice Chionh highlighted:
- the power imbalance between a contractor and a lone homeowner
- the credibility and clarity of the victim’s account
- the absence of any sign the victim ever showed romantic or sexual interest
- the inconsistency of Koh’s version with witness evidence
- Koh’s complete lack of remorse
The assault happened between 11.40am and 12.40pm, in broad daylight.
