An estate agent, who was convicted of molesting a 13-year-old student at his home was sentenced to 24 months' jail on Friday. S. Subramaniam, 45, was found guilty last week after a six-day trial of fondling the boy's private parts in a bedroom at his flat in Yishun on Dec 23, 2011. He is appealing.

The court was told that the student and his 14-year-old cousin were invited by Subramaniam to his flat to watch movie. While watching, the cousin fell asleep.

The victim had testified that Subramaniam molested him by putting his hand into his shorts and underwear to fondle him more than once. He tried to move his body away from Subramaniam but to no avail.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Norman Yew had urged the court to impose 24 months and caning as Subramaniam was a recalcitrant offender and had shown no remorse.

While District Judge Low Wee Ping agreed with the prosecution on what jail sentence should be imposed, he did not agree that there was terror and fear imparted on the victim, who in his opinion was shocked and confused.

Subramaniam has previous convictions for molesting boys in 1998 and 2000 as well as having obscene film in 2004.

He could have been jailed for up to five years, fined, caned or with any combined punishment.