21-6-2023 (SINGAPORE) A man with a troubling criminal history at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has once again caused alarm as he returned to the campus and engaged in disturbing behavior. Muhammad Shahrin Mohd Shah, 37, had previously faced charges of molestation and trespassing in 2018, resulting in a jail sentence, caning, and subsequent job loss. In the recent incident, Shahrin trespassed into dormitory rooms, attempting to enter one where a female student was sleeping with her boyfriend.
The court revealed that Shahrin had previously served a sentence of two years and eight months in jail, along with three strokes of the cane, for aggravated molestation and trespassing at a hostel within NTU. These convictions had severe consequences for Shahrin, as he lost his job. At the time of the latest offenses, he was working as a deliveryman following his release.
In the early hours of September 9, 2022, Shahrin parked his company vehicle near NTU after consuming two cans of beer, feeling intoxicated. He proceeded to loiter along the common corridors of the dormitory, attempting to open the doors of various rooms with the intention of observing female students, aware that the dormitories were exclusively for female residents.
CCTV footage captured Shahrin wearing a hooded jacket, long pants, and a face mask, utilizing a cloth to avoid direct contact with the door handles. He eventually entered a room where a female student was sleeping with her boyfriend, but quickly exited upon closing the door, awakening the couple in the process. Concerned, they ventured outside and spotted Shahrin walking along the hallway. The victim’s boyfriend promptly contacted the police.
In a disturbing turn of events, Shahrin returned to the university on December 1, 2022, around 3:45 am, parking his vehicle near a hall of residence. Prior to his arrival, he consumed two cups of vodka. This time, he entered unlocked rooms while shirtless, wearing long pants and a cap. To avoid detection by CCTV cameras, he carried an umbrella to shield himself from view.
Once again, Shahrin roamed the common corridor of the hall of residence, attempting to enter a student’s room at approximately 5:35 am. However, he was unsuccessful as the room was locked. The noise alerted the student, who quickly exited her room and confronted Shahrin at the end of the hallway, demanding to know his identity. Despite giving chase, she lost sight of him but promptly reported the incident to a security officer, who filed a police report.
Following these distressing incidents, Shahrin received instructions from an investigating officer to report to a police station. Fearing the repercussions of his actions, he discarded his cap, umbrella, and long pants at a residential block in Boon Lay, intending to deny any involvement in the offenses.
Additionally, Shahrin confessed to unrelated offenses of speeding and drunk driving in October 2022 when he exceeded the speed limit of 70km/h.
During the court proceedings, the prosecutor highlighted the striking similarities between Shahrin’s previous convictions and his recent trespassing incidents. The intrusion into the privacy of university dormitories, where students should feel safe, coupled with the vulnerability of the victims while they were asleep, aggravated the severity of the offenses. The prosecutor emphasized that Shahrin’s actions were premeditated, evident from his use of a mask and an umbrella, and his knowledge of the layout of NTU dormitories due to his previous criminal acts.
In mitigation, Shahrin, who represented himself, mumbled that his sole purpose for being at the university premises was to drink. He expressed remorse, acknowledging the impact of his past actions on his life, including the loss of his job.
The judge, while recognizing that the students were fortunate that no further harm occurred, acknowledged the aggravating factors in Shahrin’s case. She expressed deep concern over the similarities between his recent offenses and his prior conviction, noting his persistence and audacity in attempting to enter numerous rooms within a short period.
Consequently, the judge handed down an increased sentence for Shahrin’s criminal trespass offenses, calling attention to the seriousness of his repeated transgressions and failure to learn from his previous punishment.
