Alleged Singapore Pimp in Online Ring Faces New Charges
Tham Yuen-C - Straits Times | May 23, 2012
Singapore. The man behind the online vice ring through which 48 men allegedly engaged an underage prostitute now faces 60 fresh charges.
The bulk of the charges against Tang Boon Thiew, 39, are for abetting those men in their trysts with the girl.
As he already had 35 charges laid before him last November, he now faces 95 in all.
Of the 60 charges tendered against him in closed-door proceedings two weeks ago, 56 were for abetting commercial sex with a minor under 18.
The remaining four were for offenses under the Women’s Charter — one each for procuring a 27-year-old Singaporean and 25-year-old Malaysian for prostitution here, and two for living off their earnings.
His 48 alleged clients were charged last month with having paid for sex with the girl, who was 17 when the offences are said to have taken place.
Court papers said they hired the Singaporean girl through Tang between September 2010 and February last year.
Believed to have been her pimp, he apparently advertised her services through a social escort website he set up.
In the hearing against former school principal Lee Lip Hong — who has since pleaded guilty and been jailed nine weeks — it emerged that Tang arranged for Lee’s sessions with the girl, using text messages to fix details of the price and meeting place.
Tang is believed to have done the same for the rest of the men.
The girl, who cannot be named, commanded $450 to $850 a session, from which Tang allegedly took a cut.
Besides her, he is believed to have represented at least 15 other prostitutes.
Of the 35 charges against him last November, 34 involved his living off their earnings — an offense that carries a jail term of up to five years, and a fine of up to $10,000; the remaining charge was for having paid sex with a minor, believed to be the 17-year-old.
Prostitution is not illegal here, but having paid sex with someone under 18 is. The penalty is jail of up to seven years and a fine.
Apart from Lee, the other men are due to return to court for a disclosure conference next month.
Meanwhile, investigations into another 14 men who allegedly paid for sex with the same girl are ongoing.
Reprinted courtesy of Straits Times
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