Pimp denies forcing minor into prostitution
Channel NewsAsia 3 hr ago | By Channel NewsAsia
Pimp denies forcing minor into prostitution
SINGAPORE: More drama ensued on Monday in the case of the pimp convicted of forcing a minor into prostitution.
During the second part of a special hearing, 37-year-old Tang Huisheng denied all accusations that he forced the 17-year-old girl into prostitution.
He also flatly denied hitting the girl, threatening her, feeding her drugs and having sex with her while the minor was in a stupor.
In fact, Tang told the court he was "truly the victim in this case".
In his own defence, Tang said he is "not a beast" and that the girl was the one who initiated the sex as they were lovers.
The continuation of the special hearing comes after Tang maintained his plea of guilt but disputed certain facts of the case.
Previously, Tang had admitted to giving drugs to the girl on one occasion and having sex with her while she was still in a stupor.
He also admitted to repeatedly asking her for sex and beating her if she did not comply.
He denied these facts on Monday.
Prosecutor Stella Tan asked Tang for details, including when their relationship started and when the girl's father died.
Tang initially said the relationship started in January this year, but later said it was February.
He also said the girl did not tell him when her father died.
But Ms Tan said Tang was inconsistent in giving evidence and was lying on the stand.
Throughout the hearing, Tang insisted he did not lie and that if he did, he would not mind being sentenced to life imprisonment or even be hanged.
In September, Tang, a Chinese national, had pleaded guilty to four charges of bringing the minor into Singapore for prostitution and living off her earnings, among other things.
Last month, the court heard that between 18 May and 1 June this year, Tang collected about S$9,000 from the minor in prostitution earnings.
The girl, who is also from China, had provided sexual services to some 100 clients on about 150 occasions, receiving about S$60 on each occasion.
Tang would then use the money he took from the girl to pay for rental and other expenses, as well as gambling at the Marina Bay Sands casino.
The district judge will have to decide on which party to believe in, in this dispute of facts.
This will then be factored in during the sentencing of Tang, slated to take place on Thursday. - CNA/ec