Pimp who forced minor into prostitution disputes facts

SINGAPORE — A hearing has been fixed for tomorrow (Oct 3) for the case of the pimp who pleaded guilty to forcing a minor into having sex with some 100 clients — this after 37-year-old Chinese national Tang Huisheng disputed certain facts of the case today (Oct 2) after pleading guilty to four charges in September.

The four charges include bringing the minor into Singapore for prostitution, living off her earnings, harbouring her, and abetting a man to have paid sex with her. Two other charges will be taken into consideration for sentencing.

Today, the prosecution urged the court to pass a sentence of at least seven and a half years, stressing that this was a case of international trafficking of a minor for the purpose of prostitution.

Prosecutor Stella Tan added that the girl was forced into the flesh trade and robbed of her dignity. Thus, she said a “strong signal must be sent out to like-minded offenders” that this is not tolerated.

But in mitigation, Tang, who spoke through an interpreter, denied compelling the minor into prostitution and said he did not hit her.

“I have made my mitigation, it’s pointless for me to say anymore. I did not compel her. I did not hit her. I urge for a concurrent sentence,” said Tang.

Previously, Tang had admitted to giving the girl drugs 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.

However today, Tang denied these.

The matter was later heard in the district judge’s chambers where a Newton hearing was fixed for tomorrow. The hearing will have the prosecution and Tang sort out the dispute of facts before the judge passes his sentence.

The girl is expected be at the hearing.

Last month, the court heard that between May 18 and June 1, Tang collected about S$9,000 from the minor in prostitution earnings.

The girl, who is also a Chinese national, was 17 at the time of the offences. She had provided sexual services to some 100 clients on about 150 occasions, receiving about S$60 each time.

Tang would then use the money he took from the girl to pay for rental and other expenses, as well as gamble at the casino at Marina Bay Sands.

The girl met Tang earlier this year in Zhuhai, China, when she sought better work opportunities to help pay off her family’s debts.

So far, 24 men have been charged with having paid sex with the girl. Thirteen have been sentenced to between 11 and 12 weeks’ jail. CHANNEL NEWSASIA