SINGAPORE: A man who was released from prison took up a job the same day acting as a lookout for police officers in Geylang to help sex workers avoid law enforcement.

Magandran Nadarajan, a 49-year-old Singaporean, was sentenced to 33 weeks' jail on Tuesday (Jul 21). Of this, 19 weeks was for breaching his remission order.

Magandran pleaded guilty to one count under the Women's Charter of receiving gratification for providing a service aiding sex work, and another charge of aiding an attempt to obstruct justice. Two other charges were considered in sentencing.

The court heard that Magandran had been convicted in June 2025 of a similar charge linked to sex work, making him a repeat offender liable for enhanced punishment.

He was released from prison on Dec 27, 2025 on a remission order valid until mid-June 2026.

That same day, Magandran met his friend, Subash Rao Muniandy, and discussed getting jobs. Subash offered Magandran a job paying S$60 (US$46.50) to S$70 a day to act as a lookout for police officers near Lorong 22, Geylang.

He said the purpose was to assist sex workers in avoiding law enforcement. Should Magandran spot any police officers on patrol, he was to call Subash, who would inform the sex workers.

Both men knew that these "services" were attempts to obstruct justice by preventing law enforcement against vice activities.

Magandran took up the job and rode his bicycle in the area from Dec 27, 2025 to around Feb 10, 2026.

He would look out for the police from around 9pm to 5am the next day, calling Subash whenever he spotted any officers.

An average of about 15 sex workers engaged these services each day, each paying S$10 per day in cash to Subash, who would split the collected money and give Magandran his share of S$60 to S$70.

One such worker entered Singapore in December 2025 to ply her sex trade illegally on the introduction of a friend.

Around Dec 27, 2025, Subash approached this woman while she was soliciting for customers at Lorong 22, Geylang and offered her the services for S$10 a day.

The woman accepted. On at least 48 occasions, she paid S$10 in cash to Subash for the services, with a total gratification of S$480 as a reward for services aiding sex work.

The police received intelligence about the services provided by the two men and arrested them at Lorong 22, Geylang on Feb 10, 2026.

Subash's case is pending.

The prosecutor sought 14 to 17 weeks' jail for Magandran, as well as an additional term of 19 to 23 weeks for breaching remission.

He said Magandran was not only a repeat offender but one who repeatedly attempted to commit the offences almost daily.

The offences occurred over two-and-a-half months, with the men getting an average of about 15 sex workers to engage their services daily.

The prosecutor added that Magandran has low rehabilitative prospects, since he offended on the very day that he was released.

As a repeat offender, he could have been jailed for up to 10 years and fined up to S$150,000 for receiving gratification to aid sex work.

For aiding an attempt to obstruct justice, an offender can be jailed for up to seven years, fined, or both.