Man charged in Singapore court for voyeurism on aircraft
On Wednesday (4 Nov), the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said in a press release that a British man is set to appear in court.
52-year-old Hugh Lutley was charged with voyeurism and obstructing the course of justice while onboard an aircraft on 5 Nov.
Investigations reveal attempt to record people in aircraft bathroom
Officers from the Airport Police Division were first alerted to a case of voyeurism onboard a flight from Japan to Singapore on 7 Oct at about 5.35pm.
The incident happened on board a Scoot aircraft of flight number TR821, travelling from Osaka, Japan, to Singapore.
After preliminary investigations, the 52-year-old man was found to have allegedly concealed a camera in one of the bathrooms on the aircraft.
Once he left the bathroom, he activated the recording function on the camera remotely, using a mobile application on his phone.
A cabin crew member who later used the bathroom discovered the camera and removed it. She immediately alerted her colleague.
The man, identified as Hugh Lutley, subsequently attempted to retrieve the camera. However, he found that it was already gone.
He deleted the application and all related photographs on his mobile phone in hopes of evading detection.
When the plane touched down at Changi Airport, Lutley was detained for investigation. His mobile phone and camera were seized as case exhibits.
SPF emphasise zero tolerance towards sexual offenders
Lutley faces two counts in total for voyeurism and obstructing the course of justice, under both Singaporean and Japanese law.
The offence of voyeurism was read under Section 377BB(2) of the Penal Code 1871, Section 3(1) of the Tokyo Convention Act 1971, and punishable under Section 377BB(7) of the Penal Code 1871.
It carries an imprisonment sentence of up to two years, a fine, caning, or any combination of the three.
The offence of obstructing the course of justice was read under Section 204A of the Penal Code 1871, with Section 3(1) of the Tokyo Convention Act 1971.
It is punishable with an imprisonment term of up to seven years, a fine, or both.
SPF emphasised their zero-tolerance policy towards sexual offenders who threaten the personal safety of the community.
All offenders will be dealt with sternly under the law.
They encouraged members of the general public to remain vigilant of their surroundings against the threat of voyeurism.
If they witness an incident of voyeurism or are aware of someone being a victim of the crime, they should report the matter to the police immediately.
“Reporting such crimes early is crucial in helping the Police identify and arrest the perpetrators,” said SPF.
Also read: NUS student pleads guilty to filming woman in shower, says it excited him
NUS student pleads guilty to filming woman in shower, says it excited him
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