Sex—for—grades case: NUS professor "coerced into confession"

SINGAPORE: National University of Singapore (NUS) Law professor Tey Tsun Hang, who is at the centre of the sex—for—grades scandal, claims he was coerced into confessing to his alleged offences.

According to his lawyer, Mr Peter Low, Tey was diagnosed with Acute Stress Disorder and Altered Mental Status after he was arrested, and was in a "fragile mental state throughout the interrogation sessions".

Tey faces six corruption charges for allegedly showing favour to his student, Darinne Ko Wen Hui, between May and July 2010.

In a hearing on Monday, Tey’s defence counsel, which now includes MP for Aljunied GRC, Sylvia Lim, filed four criminal motions.

The motions were filed against the National University of Singapore, Alexandra Hospital and the prosecution.

Mr Low said he wanted information from NUS on the grades of Ms Ko and four other students.

He said this was "relevant" as his client was "coerced into signing confessions" and "forced into admitting to taking gifts such as tea leaves and obtaining sex in exchange for unjustified favourable grades."

In response, NUS, represented by lawyers from Drew & Napier, said it will comply with the judge’s decision on whether NUS has to disclose the grades.

Mr Low also said he wanted Tey’s psychiatric and medical reports from Alexandra Hospital.

Mr Low told the court that Tey was on psychoactive drugs when he made his confessions.

He said Tey was rushed to Alexandra Hospital within 12 hours of his arrest and interrogated at the Corrupt Practices Investigations Bureau (CPIB).

The court heard that Tey was then treated and diagnosed with Acute Stress Disorder and Altered Mental Status.

Mr Low added that "false confessions" were extracted from the day Tey was discharged from the hospital right through the last interrogation session.

Mr Low then requested for disclosure of Tey’s hospitalisation record, medical prescriptions, and identities of the nurses who attended to him.

But in response, Alexandra Hospital claimed it had already given a "very detailed report" which included such information.

Lawyer for Alexandra Hospital, Ms Kuah Boon Theng, added it will "readily provide" clarifications if Tey’s counsel team required more information.

Mr Low also wanted clarification of charges and critical witness statements from the prosecution, to better prepare Tey’s defence.

He said this included times and places of the alleged intercourse.

Lastly, the defence counsel also requested for trial dates, which were originally fixed to start three weeks from Monday, to be postponed to mid—December onwards.

Mr Low told the court this is to allow "sufficient time for proper preparation".

He said "the rush for an early trial hampers proper preparation of Tey’s defence and prejudices his chances of a fair trial."

A judgement is expected to be given on Tuesday.

— CNA/cc