PhD student jailed for attempted rape and trespass after stalking former housemate

A 31-year-old Chinese PhD student has been sentenced to six years, six months and six weeks in jail, along with three strokes of the cane, after attempting to rape a former housemate and committing multiple acts of trespass in Singapore.

According to a report by The Straits Times on 1 December 2025, Gao Xiong pleaded guilty to one count of attempted rape and three counts of criminal trespass. The offences occurred between 9 October 2023 and 26 May 2024.

The victim, a 22-year-old Chinese national pursuing tertiary studies in Singapore, had previously shared the condominium unit with Gao. They lived in separate rooms alongside other tenants. Gao moved out in August 2023 but began pursuing the victim romantically shortly after.

Despite her rejections, Gao continued to harass her via text messages. On 8 October 2023, when he appeared at the residence uninvited, the victim contacted the police. Though Gao left upon the officers’ arrival, he stayed at a nearby bus stop overnight and continued texting her.

The next evening, on 9 October 2023, Gao returned and gained entry to the unit after being let in by a tenant. He approached the victim’s room under the pretext of retrieving a bank card and apologising for his earlier messages. When she attempted to shut the door on him, Gao forced his way inside.

He pushed her to the floor, pulled at her dress, and exposed himself. The victim screamed, and a housemate intervened, pulling Gao away before he could complete the act. Despite this, Gao lingered in the unit until the police were again called. Medical examinations later confirmed that the victim had sustained scratches and bruises.

Gao was charged with attempted rape on 11 October 2023 and was initially remanded. However, he was released on bail on 2 May 2024.

While out on bail, he committed further trespass offences. On 10 May 2024, during a pre-trial conference at the State Courts, Gao breached security protocols by entering a restricted chamber after ignoring a "no entry" sign. He refused to leave until staff sought help, at which point a panic alarm was activated.

In a further attempt to influence the case, Gao returned to the victim’s former residence to convince her to drop her allegations. On 5 May 2024, he was informed that she had moved out. Nonetheless, he returned again on 26 May 2024 to try to obtain her contact details, without success.

His bailor eventually discharged himself, and Gao was remanded again on 31 May 2024.

During sentencing, Justice Hoo Sheau Peng noted the seriousness of the attempted rape and recommended that Gao attend programmes addressing sexual attitudes and behaviours.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Tay Jia En highlighted that the attack had been thwarted only by the intervention of a housemate, and that the victim had suffered both physical harm and emotional trauma.

Gao’s defence counsel, Don Tan, argued that the offence had not been premeditated. He further stated that Gao’s academic and professional progress over the years had now “gone down the drain,” and that he would need to rebuild his life upon returning to China.