SINGAPORE - A youth who had sex with four girls he befriended on Facebook was given 18 months' probation on Friday.

Nicholas Hsu Tian Hao, 18, an Institute of Technical Education student, had faced 12 charges, including three charges of shop theft. He had pleaded guilty to four charges and had the rest taken into consideration.

The court heard last month that Hsu came to know the first victim, then 14, on Facebook in 2012. He was then 16.

Sometime in August that year, the girl went to his flat in Sims Drive. She fell asleep in his bedroom and woke up to find Hsu on top of her and trying to have sex with her,

She pushed him away initially, but eventually relented. They ended the relationship the following month.

In December that year, he came to know the second victim, then 12, also through Facebook. They chatted and met for the first time later that month.

Sometime towards the end of the month, he called her at around midnight to come over to his place. She took a taxi there and they had sex in his room. They broke up soon later.

In the case of the third victim, Hsu met the 13-year-old for the first time when he asked her to his flat in July last year. No one was at home when he had sex with her.

The court heard that Hsu stole items worth $77 with four others from Watson's at Junction 8, Bishan, on Dec 24, 2012.

The court had called for reformative training and probation reports on Hsu, who was found suitable for both.

District Judge Ng Peng Hong sentenced him to 18 months' probation, requiring him to do 150 hours of community service and remain indoors from 10pm to 6am, His parents signed a $5,000 bond to ensure his good behaviour and will attend, together with Hsu, counselling sessions to improve parenting skills. Hsu will be placed on four months of electronic monitoring.

The maximum penalty for sex with a person under 16 years old is 10 years' jail and a fine on each charge. For theft, the maximum penalty is seven years and a fine.