Student placed on probation for pimping in Geylang

Source: The Straits Times  Apr 4, 2011

By Khushwant Singh

Wong Jiong Yang, a 18-year-old Nanyang Polytechnic student, was placed on 18 months probation for pimping three prostitutes. — ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW

 

A NANYANG Polytechnic student was on Monday ordered to serve 1 1/2 years of probation for living off three Geylang prostitutes. Wong Jiong Yang, 18, also admitted to managing a place of assignation, or the contact point for customers seeking the services of the prostitutes.

The first-year mechatronics student had pleaded guilty last month. Sentencing was adjourned to evaluate Wong’s suitability for rehabilitation.

Probation was recommended and on Monday, District Judge Soh Tze Bian ordered Wong to start off with four months of intensive probation, during which he will be electronically tagged. He would also have to do 100 hours of community service. Wong’s parents have to place a $5,000 bond to ensure his good behaviour.

His father told reporters that he was glad his son had been arrested before the youth sank deeper into crime.

Wong was picked up after three Thai prostitutes, aged between 22 and 27, were arrested in a Geylang lodging house on Jan 24. They told police Wong was their pimp, and he was brought in.

Investigations revealed that he had been recruited by an unidentified man called Zen through an Internet chatroom in December last year. The polytechnic student made $5 for every $50 that he collected from each customer. The court heard that he spent the money on his daily expenses.