A STOREKEEPER, 25, who repeatedly propositioned two secondary
school students for sex, has become the first person to be jailed
for sexual grooming.
Loh Kuat Fung was jailed a year on Friday on each charge but the
sentences were ordered to run concurrently.
However, the Malaysian was jailed an additional six months for
allowing one of the girls, then aged 15, to consume alcohol in a
hotel room he had rented after they got to know each other in
2008.
The other girl was only 13 when Loh tried to hit on her.
Calling the offences 'very serious' as his victims were 'very
vulnerable', District Judge Sarjit Singh ordered the 18-month jail
term to start immediately.
For sexual grooming, Loh could be jailed for up to three years
and/or fined up to $10,000.
The law, which took effect in February 2008, makes it an offence
for a person above the age of 21 to 'intentionally meet or travel
to meet a minor with the intention of committing a sexual offence
with the minor'.
A district court heard that the storekeeper first got to know
the older girl through social networking website Friendster in
2008. Harassed by persistent requests for sex, the teenager
introduced a 13-year-old friend to Loh so that he would leave her
alone in September that year.
-- ST
