Lev Panfilov sentenced to 11.5 years' jail and caning for raping woman he met on Tinder

Online Citizen​

19-05-2025

SINGAPORE: Lev Panfilov, a former actor and scriptwriter for the comedy channel Wah!Banana, was sentenced on 19 May 2025 to 11 years and six months in jail and 12 strokes of the cane.
The 29-year-old Singapore permanent resident was convicted of two charges of rape, one of sexual assault by penetration, and one of molest.
He had claimed trial to all charges. The High Court found him guilty in March.
Justice Pang Khang Chau said the victim's testimony was 'unusually convincing', while Panfilov's was not credible.
The judge noted inconsistencies in Panfilov's evidence, describing them as attempts to distance himself from the events in question.
During sentencing, the prosecution sought 14 years' imprisonment and 16 strokes of the cane.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Sheldon Lim argued that the harm caused to the victim was both physical and mental.
He said the rape involved 'a significant degree' of physical pain and cited Panfilov's lack of remorse.
Panfilov also subjected the victim to 13 days of cross-examination, which the prosecution labelled a 'marathon'.
The prosecution claimed the defence repeatedly questioned the victim on matters already canvassed, prolonging the trial unnecessarily.
The defence argued the offences occurred during a 'single continuous act' lasting two hours.
Lawyer Sameer Melber of Gabriel Law Corporation noted that the victim had voluntarily arranged to meet Panfilov.
She booked her own ride to his residence, entered his room willingly, and sat on his bed of her own volition, the defence claimed.
The lawyers said there was no evidence Panfilov had coerced her into entering the room.
They argued that the molestation was spontaneous and 'occurred in the heat of the moment'.
The defence requested a sentence of 10 years and five months' jail with six strokes of the cane.
Panfilov, a first-time offender, intends to marry later this year and continue his university studies while incarcerated.
The prosecution's case stated that Panfilov sexually assaulted the victim on 12 January 2021.
The two had met at a Wine Connection restaurant that day to discuss scriptwriting.
The victim, a model-actress and aspiring scriptwriter, was seeking help from Panfilov.
After working together at the restaurant, they moved to his home to continue.
In his room, while watching comedy clips on YouTube, Panfilov kissed the victim and subsequently assaulted her.
The victim did not immediately report the incident, citing fear and trauma.
She later visited a doctor due to ongoing physical pain, who advised her to file a police report.
She initially hesitated to lodge the report, fearing disbelief and public exposure.
She finally filed the police report on 18 January 2021 after informing her mother.
The defence maintained that the sexual acts were consensual and initiated by the victim.
The High Court found otherwise, convicting Panfilov on all counts.
The high-profile nature of the case sparked public debate after a former Law Society vice-president, Chia Boon Teck, posted comments perceived as victim-shaming.
Chia questioned the victim's actions in a LinkedIn post, prompting widespread criticism.
Members of the public and legal fraternity denounced his remarks, and the Law Society called for his resignation.
Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam condemned the remarks, stating that victim-blaming and misogyny had no place in society.
Under Singapore law, rape and sexual assault by penetration carry penalties of up to 20 years in jail, with caning or a fine.
Molestation is punishable with up to two years in jail, a fine, caning, or a combination of these.