A fortune teller has been sentenced to 12 years' jail and six strokes of the cane for raping the daughter of a medium.
Siah Kwang Yung, 40, admitted to raping an 18-year-old girl on September 12 last year at about midnight.
Investigations showed that the victim's mother is deeply religious and that she has been practising as a medium for the past nine years.
On September 5, the mother chanced upon Siah, who was offering fortune-telling services at a make-shift stall along Waterloo Street.
Siah convinced the victim's mother that a demon had possessed her body and was the cause of her bad luck.
On September 7, Siah visited the woman's flat and said he had to stay there to exorcise the demons in the house.
On September 12, Siah made his move on the victim.
He told the victim's mother, her boyfriend, the victim's brother and his friend to stay out of the girl's room.
Then Siah proceeded to rape the victim in her bedroom.
Earlier in court, the prosecution pointed out several aggravating factors in the case.
The prosecution said Siah abused the family's trust in him and manipulated them.
In fact, Siah had brazenly asked the victim's mother if he could perform a ritual with the victim naked.
His request was rejected by the mother.
The prosecution described Siah's act as despicable and asked for a sentence significantly higher than the benchmark of 10 years' jail and six strokes of the cane.
The maximum penalty for the offence under 375(2) of the Penal Code is 20 years' imprisonment with a fine or caning.
Siah Kwang Yung, 40, admitted to raping an 18-year-old girl on September 12 last year at about midnight.
Investigations showed that the victim's mother is deeply religious and that she has been practising as a medium for the past nine years.
On September 5, the mother chanced upon Siah, who was offering fortune-telling services at a make-shift stall along Waterloo Street.
Siah convinced the victim's mother that a demon had possessed her body and was the cause of her bad luck.
On September 7, Siah visited the woman's flat and said he had to stay there to exorcise the demons in the house.
On September 12, Siah made his move on the victim.
He told the victim's mother, her boyfriend, the victim's brother and his friend to stay out of the girl's room.
Then Siah proceeded to rape the victim in her bedroom.
Earlier in court, the prosecution pointed out several aggravating factors in the case.
The prosecution said Siah abused the family's trust in him and manipulated them.
In fact, Siah had brazenly asked the victim's mother if he could perform a ritual with the victim naked.
His request was rejected by the mother.
The prosecution described Siah's act as despicable and asked for a sentence significantly higher than the benchmark of 10 years' jail and six strokes of the cane.
The maximum penalty for the offence under 375(2) of the Penal Code is 20 years' imprisonment with a fine or caning.
