I 'liked' NUS law professor 'as a friend' at that time: Ex-student
Updated 03:01 PM Jan 10, 2013
SINGAPORE - The National University of Singapore law student at the centre of the sex-for-grades corruption trial was the first witness who took to the stand this morning. Ms Darrine Ko told the court that she knew law don, Associate Professor Tey Tsun Hang, well.
This was the reason why she bought a Mont Blanc pen worth S$740 and gave it to Associate Professor Tey. She said that it was a "belated birthday present" and she "liked" Mr Tey "as a friend" during that time.
Associate Professor Tey, a former District Judge, has been charged with six counts of obtaining gratification from his student between May 2010 and June 2010. As his trial began this morning, Associate Professor Tey, 41, sought to conduct his own defence. But Chief District Judge Tan Siong Thye rejected this.
Instead, the judge ordered defence counsel Peter Low to assist Associate Professor Tey in the trial, but not conduct the cross-examinations. The Prosecution has lined up 14 witnesses for its case. The trial continues later today. AMANDA LEE
Background Behind the NUS Law Sex-for-grade Scandal
Prof Tey Tsun Hang, a National University of Singapore (NUS) professor, faces six corruption charges for allegedly showing favour to his former student, Darinne Ko Wen Hui, between May and July 2010.
Prof Tey is the favourite of the current NUS Law School Dean, Prof Simon Chesterman, who also happens to be the son-in-law of Singapore's President Tony Tan. He is also a close associate of various judges and men in the corridors of power that rule. These connections allowed Tey – a Singapore PR and Malaysian –to be appointed as a district judge and state counsel in Singapore.
Darinne Ko – a ‘pious’ and an extremely ‘devoted’ Christian – initiated contact with Prof Tey and seduced him in exchange for superior grades. In addition to sexual favours, Tey allegedly received from Darinne a Mont Blanc pen worth S$740, two tailor-made shirts valued at S$236.20, an iPod Touch worth S$160 and payment of a bill amounting to S$1,278.60
In his first affidavit, it was revealed that Prof Tey had corruptly obtaining sex from three female and two male former students in his Law Faculty office as corrupt gratification from them. The two male students are Xiao Fuhong (萧富宏) and Zhang Weiyang (张伟扬) and the female students are Zhou Yiling (周意玲) and Lin Meiyi (林美仪).
Despite all these revelations, Prof Tey continued to work and teach on-campus after his first arrest:
Upping the Ante
Fearing he was losing public support, Prof Tey began an online astroturfing campaign in local forum Sammyboy.com to try and rescue his image.
Prof Tey also sought the assistance of popular opposition MP Silvia Lim to partner incumbent lawyer Peter Low (you may know him as the Lawyer representing the SMRT Strikers). The decision was purportedly made as Tey was worried about Peter Low’s track record of losing high profile media cases.
Mysteriously, Sylvia Lim has dropped out of the case, and Tey has discharged the services of Peter Low in order to represent himself. The reasons for these numerous changes are unknown at his point. But the SHS is watching this case closely and will update whenever possible.
Latest Update
Yahoo has reported that Darinne Ko lost her virginity to Prof Tey and the report has listed down the cost of the items which Prof Tey had obtained from Darinne Ko.
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Note from SHS editor: The SHS is seeking photos or steamy court room details. If you have any updates on this case, you can email me directly at sghallofshame@gmail.com. SHS ensures confidentially of all information received.
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