Zhong Xiaoqin, 钟小琴 from Clementi.
Li ChunMei from People's Park Complex
Oct 28, 2008
Brothel operator jailed
By Elena Chong
A BROTHEL operator who was spared from going to prison because of her baby daughter was sentenced to two months' jail for corruption by the High Court on Tuesday after the prosecution appealed.
Li Chunmei, 40, was fined $3,000 for managing a brothel and another $12,000 in June for corruptly giving bribes to one Low Soon.
The $3,000 fine stayed but the three $4,000 fines were set aside by Judge of Appeal V.K. Rajah who jailed her one month on each of the three corruption charges.
Two jail sentences are to run consecutively. Justice Rajah warned that all involved - givers, takers and scapegoats - in bribery could almost invariably expect a starting jail term of about six month.
'It will take an exceptional case to avoid a custodial sentence. This is not such an exceptional case,' he said.
Li, he said, had to take responsibility for her entirely unacceptable behaviour. The judge said he was satisfied that there were adequate facilities for her to look after her baby while in prison.
Li told reporters she had not made her up her mind about the care arrangements for the child. The divorcee, who was relieved about the sentence, was given until Nov 18 to surrender herself.
The court heard that she had given a total of $5,100 to Mr Low, 58, in 2006 in return for taking the rap on her behalf for managing an illegal and unlicensed business at People's Park Centre.
When police raided Mei Yuen Beauty & Therapy on Dec 28, 2006, masseuses were found to have provided sexual services in addition to massage.
Li collected $100 a day from each of the three masseuses. Deputy Public Prosecutor David Khoo argued that the district judge was wrong in not jailing Li, and had allowed her to use the baby as a bargaining chip to avoid imprisonment.
Li, who was not represented, could have been fined up to $100,000 and/or jailed for up to five years on each corruption charge.
