Singapore - Singapore is considering
harsher punishments for sex offences against minors, the law
minister said, after a US martial arts instructor was jailed
for four years for having consensual sex with two 15-year-olds,
prompting a rare public outcry.
Consensual sexual intercourse with minors of 14 and above
carries a maximum jail term of 10 years or fine or both in
Singapore. The legal age of consent is 16.
Joshua Robinson, 39, was convicted last week of the sex
acts, which he had filmed, and for showing child pornography to
a six-year-old.
Prosecutors had asked for a sentence of four to five years
and a S$20 000 (about R185 000) fine. They said they were not planning
to appeal.
"I have asked my officials to consider what approaches are
necessary for offenders like Robinson to be dealt with more
severely through higher penalties," Law and Home Affairs
Minister K Shanmugam said in a statement late on Wednesday.
Shanmugam added that he could "understand that having taken
a position in court... it is difficult for AGC (Attorney-General
Chambers) to now appeal".
An online petition on www.change.org calling for a "harsher
sentence in Singapore for paedophile Joshua Robinson" drew more
than 28 000 signatures. Petitions are rare in Singapore where
state institutions benefit from strong public support.
"Wow... 4 years of jail without caning for a paedophile?!"
said the petition started by Sarah Woon, a friend of a woman
whose daughter was shown pornographic films by Robinson.
Robinson's lawyer, Mervyn Tan, declined to comment on the
case before March 15, when the deadline for an appeal expires.
Last year, parliament passed a controversial contempt of
court law which set penalties for publishing material that
interferes with ongoing procedures or alleges bias on the part
of judges. Offenders can be fined up to S$100 000 and jailed for
up to three years.