A 61-year-old man pleaded guilty on Thursday (27 Feb) to stealing hundreds of pieces of women’s undergarments over a five-year period, after a Bukit Batok resident caught him red-handed with pockets full of bras and panties.
Dennis Kwek admitted to one charge under the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act. The court heard that his spree came to an end in the early hours of 21 May 2025, when a vigilant resident at Bukit Batok Central spotted him acting suspiciously.
Caught after corridor chase
At approximately 4:20 am, the resident heard light footsteps outside his flat. Upon investigating, he saw Kwek, who was wearing a blue hat and a face mask, rounding a corner.
Kwek attempted to flee when he realised he had been spotted, but the resident gave chase and successfully detained him. During a quick search, the resident discovered Kwek’s pockets were bulging with six pairs of women’s underwear and four bras. The police were immediately alerted.
Following his arrest, police officers conducted a raid on Kwek’s residence the next day. The search yielded seven bags containing an additional 310 pieces of women’s undergarments. Kwek later confessed that he had been stealing the items for five years.
Alcohol-induced urges
Investigations by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) revealed that Kwek suffers from alcohol use disorder. The court heard that Kwek often felt an uncontrollable urge to steal undergarments after consuming alcohol.
Representing himself in court, Kwek expressed deep remorse for his actions. He shared that his personal and professional life had suffered significantly since the incident, noting that family, friends, and colleagues had begun avoiding him.
Kwek also told the court that he has remained sober for 278 days since his arrest. He has since joined a support group to manage his condition and vowed to stay on the right path.
Sentencing adjourned
District Judge Tan Jen Tse took note of the IMH report and Kwek’s underlying condition. The judge has ordered Kwek to undergo an assessment for a Mandatory Treatment Order (MTO), which would require him to undergo psychiatric treatment in lieu of jail time.
Sentencing has been adjourned to 1 April 2026.
