A former swimming coach in Singapore, Quek Yeong Kang, also known as Alex, has been sentenced to two years' imprisonment and three strokes of the cane for repeatedly molesting a 10-year-old student.

The offenses occurred on three separate occasions in October 2023. According to the victim, Quek molested her after swimming laps on October 14, October 21, and October 28, with the last incident involving three to four instances of molestation after she completed a set of laps.

The victim attended Quek's swimming classes on Saturday evenings alongside her sister, brother, and six other students. Four other students gave statements to the police, with three noting that Quek had tickled students during lessons, which they found unusual.

Quek, a 49-year-old Singaporean with 20 years of coaching experience, pleaded not guilty to the charges, alleging the victim fabricated the complaints to change coaches. However, Deputy Principal District Judge Luke Tan rejected Quek's claims and convicted him on all three charges in a judgment released on Thursday, August 27, 2026.

Judge Tan also remarked that Quek's initial response when confronted with the allegations was "telling." Quek had claimed it was unlikely for him to molest the victim due to their height difference and how he held her hands to teach swimming strokes, stating he avoided inappropriate contact.

Quek's character was noted by a witness who said he had never received complaints or observed inappropriate behavior from Quek in the 13 years he had known him.

Sources

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