A former surgeon who molested a woman while she lay on an operating table after undergoing a colonoscopy and treatment for piles was sentenced to one week in jail on Tuesday (Jan 27).

The former Singaporean doctor cannot be identified due to a gag order protecting the victim, who was 20 years old at the time. He was 72 then. The court order also bars the naming of the private hospital involved, as doing so could lead to the doctor’s identification.

Prosecutors had sought a jail term of four to six weeks, while agreeing with the defence that judicial mercy should be considered. This was due to the offender’s medical condition — he is suffering from stage four prostate cancer and has an estimated life expectancy of six to 12 months. Court observers noted that he appeared pale and frail in the dock. CNA reported that he is no longer listed on the Singapore Medical Council’s register of doctors.

The ex-surgeon molested the patient’s chest under her hospital gown

The man contested a charge of outraging the modesty of a woman on Dec 24, 2021, at a private hospital. The prosecution said he had touched her chest while she was recovering on the operating table, claiming it was part of a clinical breast examination.

Two nurses who witnessed the incident were shocked and immediately reported it to their supervisors. They later testified that the offender used both hands to molest the victim beneath her hospital gown.

At trial, the man argued that he had either implied or express consent to conduct the examination. District Judge Shawn Ho rejected this, finding that the patient was sedated, drowsy and incapable of giving consent.

Judge: “No medical justification for a breast exam”

The judge also said there was no medical justification for examining the woman’s breasts following a colonoscopy, especially when the diagnosis related only to bleeding piles.

The offender did not follow proper breast exam protocol

A medical expert testified that a proper breast examination requires full exposure, visual inspection, palpation and checks for discharge, typically taking 15 to 30 seconds. Performing such an examination beneath a gown, the expert said, would be inadequate and improper.

One nurse, who had worked at the hospital for decades and assisted the offender about 10 times a year, said she had never previously seen him perform a breast examination.

Judge Ho found that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted the man.

Judicial mercy considered

The defence submitted medical evidence showing the offender suffers from incurable stage four prostate cancer, with widespread spread to his bones, lymph nodes and lungs. His oncologist estimated in January 2026 that he had six to 12 months left to live.

Both the prosecution and defence agreed that this constituted exceptional circumstances warranting judicial mercy — a legal principle allowing for a significant reduction in sentence due to factors such as terminal illness.

The defence sought either a fine of between S$6,000 and S$7,000 (RM18,700 to RM21,800), or one day’s jail with a S$10,000 (RM31,200) fine. Prosecutors maintained their request for four to six weeks’ imprisonment, noting that they would otherwise have sought 12 to 15 months’ jail if not for his condition.

In sentencing, Judge Ho said the court faced a “profound tension” between the man’s serious abuse of trust as a doctor and his terminal illness. He agreed that judicial mercy was appropriate and imposed a one-week jail sentence.

The offender began serving his sentence immediately. For the offence, he could have been jailed for up to two years and fined, but cannot be caned under the law as he is over 50 years old.

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