SINGAPORE: A 37-year-old man who persistently took upskirt videos and photos over a five-year period was sentenced to 27 weeks in jail on Wednesday (4 June).
Edmond Kwek Liwen pleaded guilty to one count of outrage of modesty and two counts of voyeurism.
One other voyeurism charge was taken into consideration for sentencing.
Kwek had taken a total of 162 upskirt images and videos.
Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Jheong Siew Yin stated that Kwek “did not at all resist his urge to record” such material, adding that his persistent behaviour indicated a high risk of reoffending.
One of the victims caught Kwek red-handed in February 2021 at Guoco Tower.
He had taken an upskirt video of her on an escalator and then followed her to a lift lobby, where he captured a second video.
The woman realised what he was doing when she felt him touch the back of her thigh.
When Kwek attempted to flee, she grabbed him by the neck and asked whether he had taken her photo, demanding that he delete it.
In response, he showed her a blurry image on his phone and deleted it before running off again.
With the help of two members of the public, the victim managed to stop him.
Subsequent investigations revealed that Kwek had not deleted the two upskirt videos he had taken of her.
DPP Jheong noted that the victim was “significantly distressed” and felt deeply violated by his actions.
Further analysis of Kwek’s phone uncovered 141 upskirt photos taken in 2019 at various locations around Singapore.
Even while under investigation for these offences, Kwek reoffended.
In April 2024, after learning about a girls’ water polo competition at the swimming complex in Our Tampines Hub, he went there to take photos and videos of girls in swimsuits.
A coach noticed Kwek’s behaviour and told him to delete the photos and videos.
Staff at the complex were alerted, and the police were called.
Upon arrival, officers found 12 upskirt images taken between March and April 2024 on his phone.
A forensic psychiatric evaluation conducted by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) diagnosed Kwek with major depressive disorder.
However, the psychiatrist concluded that his condition was in remission during the 2024 offence and had no contributory link to his criminal behaviour.
Kwek also has voyeurism and fetishism, though not at a level that would qualify as a paraphilic disorder or cause substantial impairment.
DPP Jheong quoted the IMH psychiatrist as stating: “Kwek had voluntarily indulged in his interests for sexual pleasure and was, at all material times, in full control of his actions and knew that his actions were contrary to the law.”
In mitigation, Kwek’s lawyer, Wilson Yeo, acknowledged the gravity of his client’s actions, stating that Kwek “offers no excuses” for his behaviour.
Yeo added that Kwek had since switched to using a mobile phone without a camera function.
Kwek also addressed the court directly and expressed remorse, stating that he was sorry to all the victims and was determined to start afresh and make amends for his actions.
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