Ex—MOE scholar charged with having sex with minor

SINGAPORE: Former Ministry of Education scholar Jonathan Wong, who pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography in Britain, has been charged in Singapore with having sex with an underage girl.

Wong faces 10 charges, including seven counts of having sex with a minor, and three charges of committing indecent acts, according to Chinese evening daily Lianhe Wanbao.

In December 2010, Wong, who was found with child porn clips on his computer at the University of York, was given a six—month sentence suspended for two years.

It means he will not spend any time in jail unless he re—offends during that period.

Lianhe Wanbao said Wong, 25, returned to Singapore in January last year and worked in a publishing firm.

The offences occurred from February to June after Wong got to know the 15—year—old girl through a church choir.

They chatted regularly online; she would address him as "daddy", while he would call her "daughter".

The offences were discovered in August last year after the girl’s teacher noticed her poor school performance and called her father.

The girl then told her father what happened and a police report was made.

Wong, who pleaded guilty on June 25, apologised on Wednesday in Court for what he had done.

Sentencing has been adjourned to Monday.

Wong could be jailed up to 20 years and caned for having sex with a minor.

— TODAY/cc