Youth pleads guilty to 12 charges of having sex with minor
By Claire Huang | Posted: 24 February 2012 1308 hrs
SINGAPORE: An 18-year-old on Friday admitted in court to having sex with a minor and hitting her.
The youth pleaded guilty to twelve charges, four of which the prosecution proceeded on.
He confessed to having sex with his then-girlfriend, who was only 12 years old, at a staircase landing in Jurong West, on 14 August 2009.
About a month later, the accused started abusing his girlfriend physically during their quarrels.
In March 2010, the girl tried to break up with him, but he refused and confronted her.
On 16 April 2010, the couple had an argument and he punched the young girl's arm and lower back.
Thereafter, at a staircase landing in Bukit Batok, the accused had sex with the victim, who was then 13 years old.
The next day, the victim finally told her mother about the incidents and a police report was lodged.
However, the accused was relentless in his pursuit of the girl.
On 29 July 2010, the accused went to look for the girl and after a chat, he grabbed the neck of the victim to prevent her from leaving.
For having sex with a minor, he could be jailed up to 10 years and fined.
For causing hurt, he faces a maximum jail term of two years, or a fine of up to S$5,000, or both.
In mitigation, the defence counsel said the accused had initially done well in school and managed to go on to the express stream.
But his father died when he was only 14 years old, leaving behind his mother who is a kidney patient, and three siblings.
The defence counsel said the accused was very close to his father and the death scarred him and things went into a downward spiral for his client.
The accused has realised he needs to get his life back on track, and is currently studying at a private school to re-take his GCE 'N' Levels. He has also started attending religious classes twice a week.
The defence counsel added that his client is a first-time offender and is extremely remorseful for his actions, so he urged the court to be lenient.
The court has called for him to be evaluated to see if he is suitable for probation or rehabilitative training. He is likely to be sentenced on 23 March 2012.
- CNA/ck
