Law prof Tey tells court he paid for gifts from ex-student Darinne Ko

The law professor on trial for corruption in a sex-for-grades case said he had paid for the gifts he received from his former student, Ms Darinne Ko. 

Tey Tsun Hang, who said this on Day 4 of the hearing on Tuesday, also produced cheque book entries in court. 

This came after Ms Ko, the prosecution's star witness, told the court about two CYC tailored shirts and an iPod touch. 

She said at no point did Tey ask for the gifts from her and that she had given them to him on her own accord.

Tey put it to Ms Ko that he had paid her for those gifts, as well as for the dinner at Garibaldi's, which had a bill dated 21 July 2010. 

He said he had issued a cheque amounting to $2,500 in July 2010 before she left for an overseas study stint. 

This amount, he said, is slightly more than the value of the gifts mentioned in the first four charges. 

But Ms Ko said no such cheque was given to her. 

Tey then said he made out the cheque to Ms Ko but she refused to accept it. 

He said he paid her in cash after that. 

Lead prosecutor Mr Andre Jumabhoy raised doubts, pointing out that the cheque was dated early July 2010 while the dinner bill was dated 21 July. 

He said Tey is purporting to pay for a dinner even before it had taken place. 

"It shows a remarkable ability on his part to establish not only future events but the price that such events entail," said Mr Jumabhoy.

Mr Jumabhoy also argued that Ms Ko's testimony that she did not receive the cheque caused "irreparable damage" to Tey's case. 

Tey, a former district judge, faces allegations of obtaining gratification in the form of gifts and sex from Ms Ko between May and July 2010, in exchange for lifting her grades. 

If convicted, he could be jailed up to five years and fined $100,000.