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13/06/2008
Singapore man with armpit fetish gets 14 years' jail, caning
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Ariffin, who is mildly retarded
SINGAPORE (AFP) — A Singaporean man with a fetish for smelling womens' armpits has been sentenced to 14 years in jail and 18 strokes of the cane, legal officials said Friday.
A court employee confirmed the sentence, issued Thursday, against Mohammed Ismail Ariffin, 36.
Ariffin had a fixation for touching or smelling women, particularly their armpits, and was convicted of molesting 23 women, his lawyer Noor Mohamed Marican told AFP.
"He's got this problem. Poor chap," Noor said in a brief interview.
After reading an expert report that said Ariffin was likely to re-offend, Judge James Leong issued a preventive detention order, which means Ariffin will not be eligible for parole, The Straits Times said.
Ariffin, who is mildly retarded, would often attack his victims inside lifts, the report said.
It said Noor argued against a long sentence and in favour of rehabilitation and medical treatment.
But Leong said he found "precious little" in Ariffin's favour, The Straits Times reported.
And for those of you who think that caning is a mild form of punishment have a look at this video of the "cruel and unusual punishment", being carred out in Malaysia. If you are easily upset, don't watch it.
09:30 Posted by soci | Permalink | Comments (5) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this | Tags: Punishment, Singapore, Jail
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Punishment here is indeed harsh, even unwarranted. If the facts are true, then this person is SICK and requires treatment, not punishment.
BTW, didn't that panty-sniffing university lecturer get a lighter sentence than 14 years jail and 18 rotan strokes?
Posted by: Matilah_Singapura | 13/06/2008
Before I judge a punishment as "cruel and unusual" I would first like to be informed on the nature of the crime the accused is charged with.
In the case of Ariffin, who could be non compos mentis (I am not an expert in mental disorders), caning is clearly not just "cruel and unusual punishment" by completely UNjust.
However to those -- fully aware of their actions -- who have raped children, and adults, assaulted the weak like old people and the handicapped, and committed other violent crimes resulting in untold suffering by the victims, I fully support caning as NECESSARY justice.
Posted by: Matilah_Singapura | 14/06/2008
I say man. Where is Chua Lee Hoong? Here is a case where she can weigh in with her "research" on psychiatric labels. The sentence is indeed extremely harsh and unjust considering that the man is mentally disordered. Why didnt the judge send him 14 years to a mental hospital instead to be treated rather than to prison and CANING? Surely he was of unsound mind. The judge's only rationale for his sentencing was that he was likely to repeat the offence. But is this a good reason? Of course, if not treated he would! Therefore what he needs is isolation for treatment and punished for some compulsive disorder! Heck, are our judges out of touch with reality or what?
Posted by: white raven | 15/06/2008
Sorry typo:
Therefore what he needs is isolation for treatment and NOT punished for some compulsive disorder!
Again, justice must be tempered with humanity and compassion. After all, the women were not really harmed, just scared probably.
Posted by: white raven | 15/06/2008
This is still a carry over from British Rule.Singaore will never be great untill it rids itself of all of its British coloniel past. But then thats exactly How the Mad Menter wants and loves it to be, the senile old fool just cant let go and moove on.
Posted by: Ian | 15/06/2008