PP v Mohamed Noh Hafiz: Sentencing for Multiple Sex Offences and Robbery Involving Young Offenders

In Public Prosecutor v Mohamed Noh Hafiz bin Osman, the High Court of Singapore sentenced Mohamed Noh Hafiz, a 17-year-old, to 20 years imprisonment and 24 strokes of the cane for multiple offences including aggravated outrage of modesty, aggravated rape, unnatural sex, and robbery against young girls. The court, presided over by Justice Tay Yong Kwang, found reformative training inappropriate due to the severity and number of offences committed between February and March 2003.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Accused sentenced to 20 years imprisonment and 24 strokes of the cane.

1.3 Case Type

Criminal

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Mohamed Noh Hafiz was sentenced for multiple sex offences and robbery against young girls. The court deemed reformative training inappropriate given the severity and number of offences.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Public ProsecutorProsecutionGovernment AgencyJudgment for ProsecutionWon
G Kannan of Deputy Public Prosecutors
Shirani Alfreds of Deputy Public Prosecutors
Mohamed Noh Hafiz bin OsmanAccusedIndividualAccused SentencedLost
John Abraham of John Abraham

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Tay Yong KwangJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
G KannanDeputy Public Prosecutors
Shirani AlfredsDeputy Public Prosecutors
John AbrahamJohn Abraham

4. Facts

  1. The accused, a 17-year-old, pleaded guilty to multiple sex offences and robbery.
  2. The offences involved young girls between the ages of eight and twelve.
  3. The accused followed the girls into lifts and attacked them in staircase landings.
  4. The offences included aggravated outrage of modesty, rape, and unnatural sex.
  5. The accused also committed robbery by forcibly taking a handphone from a young girl.
  6. A Special Task Force was set up to investigate the crimes.
  7. The accused was arrested after being recognized from a photo-fit picture.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Public Prosecutor v Mohamed Noh Hafiz bin Osman, , [2003] SGHC 207

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Sexual offences began
First sexual offence committed
Accused turned 17 years old
Accused committed three offences in Tampines
Photo-fit picture of the suspect recognised
Accused arrested
Judgment issued

7. Legal Issues

  1. Sentencing for Multiple Offences
    • Outcome: The court determined that a deterrent sentence was necessary due to the severity and number of offences, rejecting reformative training.
    • Category: Substantive
  2. Appropriateness of Reformative Training
    • Outcome: The court found reformative training inappropriate given the number and nature of the offences.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Sentencing

9. Cause of Actions

  • Aggravated Outrage of Modesty
  • Aggravated Rape
  • Unnatural Sex
  • Robbery
  • Theft
  • Violation of Films Act

10. Practice Areas

  • Criminal Law

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
No cited cases

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
s 354A (2)(b) Penal CodeSingapore
s 376 (2) Penal CodeSingapore
s 377 Penal CodeSingapore
s 392 Penal CodeSingapore
s 380 Penal CodeSingapore
s 13 Criminal Procedure CodeSingapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Aggravated Outrage of Modesty
  • Aggravated Rape
  • Unnatural Sex
  • Robbery
  • Reformative Training
  • Deterrent Sentence
  • Victim Impact Statements
  • Sexual Offences
  • Young Offenders

15.2 Keywords

  • sexual offences
  • robbery
  • sentencing
  • young offenders
  • criminal law
  • singapore

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Sexual Offences99
Sentencing98
Aggravated Rape95
Unnatural Sex (Fellatio)95
Aggravated Outrage of Modesty95
Criminal Law95
Offences90
Criminal Procedure90
Robbery90
Theft60
Child Custody30
Personal Injury20
Films Act20

16. Subjects

  • Criminal Law
  • Sentencing
  • Sexual Offences
  • Robbery