Man jailed 8 years for raping drunk teenage girl at house party

SINGAPORE: A man was sentenced on Monday (Aug 15) to eight years' jail and six strokes of the cane for raping a drunk teenage girl at a birthday celebration.

Rajama Samuel Doctorian Purba, 20, pleaded guilty to one charge of rape. Two charges of outraging the victim's modesty and possessing obscene films were also considered for sentencing.

Rajama was pursuing a diploma at a private school at the time of the offences in November 2020.

The victim was a 16-year-old secondary school student then. Her identity is protected by gag order.

She had never met Rajama before the incident, but had a friend studying in the same course as Rajama's housemate.

The four of them had gathered to celebrate the victim's friend's birthday at Rajama's apartment.

The victim was initially hesitant to attend as she did not know anyone else at the gathering, but agreed as it was a celebration for her friend.

She and her friend arrived at Rajama's apartment at about 9.30pm.

The group played card games and drank alcohol - including whisky and soju - that Rajama and his housemate provided.

After a few rounds of card games, the victim started feeling dizzy and falling in and out of consciousness.

She told the group she wanted to vomit. Rajama supported her to the toilet in his bedroom, while the other two remained in the living room.

Once in the bedroom, Rajama locked the door and brought the victim to the toilet, where she threw up. Rajama cleaned up after her.

He then realised the victim had become completely unconscious. He lifted her and placed her on his bed, where he molested and raped her.

During the assault, the victim drifted in and out of consciousness and was aware of Rajama's movements. But she was unable to resist or move due to intoxication.

Rajama stopped after some time as he felt guilty, court documents stated.

He dressed the victim up and helped her to the toilet where she vomited again.

He then left her there and rejoined the rest in the living room.

Rajama's housemate went to the bedroom later as he wanted to use the toilet, and saw the victim lying on the toilet floor.

He became angry and told off Rajama for disrespecting the victim and leaving her in such a condition. They laid the victim down on the bed.

Rajama then confessed to his friend that he had sex with the victim as she was in a drunken state.

They returned to the living room, where they continued drinking.

Around 4am the next day, the victim left the apartment while supported by her friend. They took a private-hire car to his flat, where the victim told him what Rajama had done to her.

When the victim returned home, she could not stop thinking about what had happened. She confided in her ex-boyfriend, and was coaxed into making a police report.

Rajama was arrested at his apartment the next day, where five obscene films were found in his possession.

The victim was assessed to suffer from mild psychological distress. She said she tried to struggle during the sexual assault, but was too weak to resist Rajama.

Deputy Public Prosecutors Kavita Uthrapathy and Theong Li Han sought seven to 10 years' jail and six strokes of the cane.

They highlighted the victim's vulnerability as she was young and severely intoxicated, but also acknowledged Rajama's young age at the time and his early plea of guilt.

Defence counsel Nasser Ismail asked for a slightly shorter jail term of seven to nine years, citing his client's remorse and lack of premeditation.

The punishment for rape is up to 20 years' jail and a fine or caning.