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Toh was convicted and jailed for 16 years, and ordered to be given 10 strokes of the cane. -- PHOTO: CRO
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A 37-YEAR-OLD man, now serving a 16-year jail term for raping a 14-year-old student, was brought before the High Court on Thursday to face four charges for having sex with another teenage girl.
Although Toh Lam Seng, a former pet shop owner, started off saying he would be pleading guilty, the hearing on Thursday made not much headway.
Toh first quibbled over a line in the statement of facts, which suggested that he knew the victim's age at the time.
After that was resolved, he then repeatedly mumbled that he was 'confused' when the judge asked if he was disputing anything else in the statement of facts.
A judge can accept a guilty plea only when an accused unreservedly admits the statement of facts.
Justice Tay Yong Kwang told Toh he did not have to admit to anything he did not want to, and gave him the night to think things over.
Toh had first been charged in April 2006 with raping the two teenage girls, mainly in public places. The two girls are not known to each other.
He went on trial in January last year on a single charge of raping the 14-year-old student at a Marsiling hilltop in March 2006.
He was convicted and jailed for 16 years, and ordered to be given 10 strokes of the cane.
On Thursday, the prosecution tendered reduced charges - from rape to sex with a minor - involving the other teenage girl.
Toh is accused of having sex with the 15-year-old four times between Dec 10 and 13, 2005, near Sembawang Park, Woodands View and a Geylang hotel.
The offence of having sex with a minor carries a maximum jail term of five years and a $10,000 fine.
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