Man Convicted of Molesting 'God Son' Who Saw Him as a Father-Fugure, Over Seven-Year Period

Chin Esau John entering the State Courts' premises on Jan 8, 2025.

A 64-year-old New Zealander, Chin Esau John, has been found guilty of molesting a boy over a seven-year period. The offenses occurred between 2002 and 2008 during Chin's visits to Singapore, beginning when the victim was 11 and continuing until he turned 18. The victim, now 34, delayed reporting the abuse until 2023 due to their prior "father-son relationship." His identity remains protected under a gag order.

Delivering the verdict, District Judge Shaiffudin Saruwan found the victim to be a credible and forthright witness, emphasizing that delays in reporting do not diminish credibility, as victims of sexual assault react in different ways. Chin had assumed the role of the victim's disciplinarian, spiritual guide, and best friend following the death of the victim's father. Fear and emotional dependence contributed to the victim's reluctance to report the abuse earlier.

Chin, a close family friend and former Singapore citizen, visited the victim's family annually from 2000 to 2020. During the early years of his visits, he showered naked with the victim and began inappropriate touching, causing the victim pain. The molestation primarily occurred when they shared a bed, with Chin performing sexual acts on the victim, who pretended to sleep while attempting to avoid Chin's advances. The victim, unaware of the boundaries of a father-son relationship, complied due to his admiration and fear of Chin. Chin also advised him to perform similar acts on himself weekly to "clear" his system.

As the victim grew older, he became increasingly disgusted by the abuse and sought to distance himself from Chin. In 2007, when Chin returned to assist with the victim's polytechnic matriculation, the molestation continued, leaving the victim unsure of how to respond. Chin ceased his actions between 2008 and 2009 after learning that the victim was in a relationship. Despite condemning premarital sex, Chin had engaged in years of sexual misconduct with the victim.

In his defense, Chin denied molesting the victim, though he admitted to showering naked with him. He claimed that he had only instructed the victim on sexual acts using a banana demonstration and verbal guidance. He also argued that the victim fabricated allegations out of humiliation from a 2020 incident when Chin had requested a knife for disciplinary purposes. The victim, however, testified that he felt fear rather than humiliation and decided at that moment to reveal the truth.

Chin called the victim's two estranged sisters as defense witnesses. The prosecution argued that they were "deeply biased" toward Chin and had not sought the victim’s perspective. It was noted that they had engaged in extensive discussions with Chin throughout the trial and were invested in his acquittal.

Chin has been convicted on seven counts of molestation. He is scheduled to return to court on April 15 for mitigation and sentencing.