26-year-old snapped 100+ voyeuristic images, sentenced to jail weeks after marriage registration
A newly married Singaporean man has been sentenced to 28 days in jail after being caught taking upskirt photos at Tampines MRT. Authorities later discovered more than 100 similar images on his phone, revealing a pattern of repeated offences.
Escalator Incident Leads to Arrest
On November 1, 2024, Lai Zi Yang, 26, was traveling to meet a friend when he committed a disturbing act at Tampines MRT station. While on the escalator, he spotted a woman in front of him wearing a skirt and discreetly placed his phone on his knees with the camera angled upward. He proceeded to snap 14 upskirt photos. A nearby commuter caught Lai in the act, confronted him, and alerted the victim—who then reported the incident to the police.
Over 100 Images Uncovered
Investigators later found more than 100 voyeuristic images on Lai’s phone. These images were hidden in a passcode-protected folder and had been transferred from his gallery, where they were automatically deleted after the move. Authorities revealed that at least 10 different women were victims of similar offences, indicating a clear pattern of misconduct.
Court Proceedings and Guilty Plea
Lai pleaded guilty to one charge of taking voyeuristic images without consent. A second similar charge was considered during sentencing. The case was heard by District Judge John Ng, who emphasized the seriousness of such offences, particularly due to their covert nature and the difficulty of detection.
Mitigation and Background
Lai’s lawyer, Low Chun Yee, stated that the offender had recently registered his marriage in May 2025 and is waiting for the keys to his Build-To-Order (BTO) flat. Mr Low described Lai as a young offender who now understands the gravity of his actions and has voluntarily sought psychological treatment.
Judge Issues Stern Warning
District Judge Ng pointed out that Lai demonstrated a pattern of voyeuristic behavior, making the 28-day jail sentence necessary to deter similar actions in public spaces. He highlighted the need to send a strong signal, especially in cases where offences are hard to uncover. The offence of voyeurism in Singapore carries penalties of up to two years in jail, fines, caning, or a combination of these.
Privacy and Public Vigilance
The case underscores growing concerns about personal privacy in public spaces. It also reflects the importance of community vigilance—had the alert commuter not intervened, Lai might have continued his misconduct unnoticed. Singapore’s legal system continues to treat such violations with severity to safeguard public trust and safety.
This case serves as a wake-up call to both individuals and society on the importance of respecting privacy, especially in densely populated public settings. For Indonesians and Singaporeans, it highlights the need for ongoing education, strict law enforcement, and vigilance to protect the vulnerable in everyday spaces.
Sources: Must Share News (2025) , Straits Times (2025)
Keywords: Lai Zi Yang, Tampines MRT, Upskirt Photos, Voyeurism Charge, Singapore Crime, MRT Escalator Incident
