Singapore man jailed for sex with underage girl who is now wife

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A Singapore man was jailed for having sex with an underage girl who is now his wife, local media reported on Thursday.

The case is believed to be the first of its kind in Singapore. District Judge Mathew Joseph said the case was "unusual."

The judge said that while he was prepared to consider the case differently, the court did not condone the accused for having sex with the minor -- who was then 15.

The court ordered that the names of the accused and victim be withheld.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Victor Lim told the court last month that the girl, who is now 17, befriended the 32-year-old computer technician some time between 2008 and 2009 while playing an online game. She was then around 12 or 13.

The two entered into a relationship in December 2011. In the same month, the accused told the victim that he wanted to have sex with her. After she agreed, he drove her to a local hotel. Their next sexual encounter took place early last year, when she was living with the accused at a flat in Singapore.

Soon after that, the victim discovered that she was pregnant. The accused, who was then divorced, made plans to marry her. He married the girl in Indonesia a year ago, when she was 16. The marriage is recognized in Singapore.

The sex offenses came to light when the police investigates a forgery case that involves the accused.

The girl was in court together with his husband's six-year-old daughter from a previous marriage.

For having sex with the minor, the accused was sentenced to six months in jail.

Together with the sex offenses, the accused pleaded guilty to 15 charges last month -- mostly for cheating -- and was sentenced to a total of 18 months behind bars.

The judge added that he hoped the accused would put the past behind him for his pregnant wife and their unborn child.

The maximum penalty for underage sex, cheating or forgery is 10 years' jail and a fine on each charge. Endi

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