The Judiciary Police (PJ) arrested a man on Tuesday after a 12-year-old girl saw him masturbating in the stairwell of a residential building last week, PJ spokesman Ho Wai Lok revealed during a regular press conference yesterday afternoon.
Ho identified the suspect as a 35-year-old male surnamed Sin, who told PJ officers that he works for the Macau Public Security Forces (FSM).
According to Ho, the incident occurred at around noon last Tuesday when the girl was on her way home from school in Patane district. Upon reaching a landing between the first and second floors of her residential building, she witnessed the suspect masturbating. The girl immediately informed her family, who reported the matter to the Public Security Police (PSP) later that day.
Following a referral from the PSP, PJ officers went to the scene to carry out a forensic investigation. Ho said that traces of semen left by Sin were collected and sent for testing.
Upon his arrest on Tuesday, Sin reportedly admitted to the act, claiming it was driven by a “momentary sexual impulse.” He told investigators that he had entered the building at random after finding the main gate unlocked.
Ho added that Sin pointed out that the incident took place outside of his working hours. Investigators subsequently discovered further traces of the suspect’s semen in another building within the same district, Sin admitted that he had carried out similar acts in two different buildings between last Monday and Tuesday.
Sin was transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) yesterday afternoon to face possible charges of sexual abuse of a child.
According to Article 166 of the Macau Penal Code, Sin faces a prison term of up to three years for “committing an exhibitionist act of a sexual nature in the presence of a minor under the age of 14.”
Ho did not elaborate on Sin’s marital status.
Meanwhile, the Fire Services Bureau (CB) announced in a statement yesterday evening that that Sin is a firefighter.
According to the statement, in response to the incident, the bureau has initiated disciplinary proceedings and imposed preventive suspension measures on Sin. It also said that it would pursue disciplinary liability in accordance with the law. According to the statement, the bureau’s top officers have immediately ordered that moral education and supervision of personnel be strengthened. They also have issued a strict reminder that all firefighters must always abide by the law and discipline, uphold professional ethics, and protect the reputation of the service, the statement said, adding that all personnel are to take this case as a warning and never defy the law.
Led by Secretary for Security Chan Tsz King, the Macau Public Security Forces comprise the Unitary Police Service (SPU), the Public Security Police (PSP), the Fire Services Bureau (CB), the Customs Service, the Correctional Services Bureau (DSC), and the Macau Public Security Forces Academy.
Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Ho Wai Lok looks on during yesterday’s press conference. – Photo: Armindo Neves
