Two men plead guilty to sex with underage girl

SINGAPORE: Two men pleaded guilty on Thursday to having paid sex with an underage girl.

The first accused, 33—year—old Louis Lee Lip Kian, pleaded guilty to one count of having paid sex with a girl who was below 18 years old

Emotionally hit by divorce, the former bank relationship manager sought the sexual services of a young prostitute.

In his mitigation, Lee’s lawyer, Mr Amolat Singh, said his client was "low in spirits from the divorce" and went "looking for love in all the wrong places".

Lee, who is now unemployed, had sex with the then—17—year—old girl at Hotel 81 Bencoolen in November 2010.

He later paid her S$600.

Lee, who went to court alone, hung his head low while his plea was taken.

The court heard that he was surfing the web when he came across the girl’s services.

He arranged to meet her through her pimp.

He thought she was a "very matured lady" who "knew just what to do and what to say".

His lawyer said Lee was "lulled into a sense of security" and did not verify her age.

As a result, Lee was "shell shocked" when he was called up by the police and informed that the girl was only 17 at that time.

Mr Singh said Lee was remorseful and saddened by the turn of events.

The court also heard that Lee, who holds a degree in computer science, is a first time offender.

The second accused, Pyi Kyaw Han, also pleaded guilty to the same offence.

The 31—year—old Pyi, who is a director of a security company, admitted paying the same girl S$650 for sex at Strand Hotel in December 2010.

Another similar charge was taken into consideration.

His mitigation will be read out when he is sentenced on August 27.

Lee will also be sentenced on the same day.

— CNA/fa