‘Sex For Grades’ case: Defence says CPIB badgered Tey to confess

SINGAPORE — Reading out cards Ms Darinne Ko had sent to former law don Tey Tsun Hang — such as one thanking him for “the most wonderful summer” — defence lawyer Peter Low sought to show yesterday that theirs was not a one-sided relationship.

Officers from the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau had also made threats, inducements and/or promises when they were recording statements from his client, Mr Low argued, during Tey’s appeal against his graft rap.

Tey, 42, was found guilty in May of six counts of corruptly obtaining gifts and sex from Ms Ko in exchange for awarding her good grades. Apart from gifts such as an iPod and a Mont Blanc pen, Tey also had sex with her on two occasions.

He launched the appeal despite having served his five-month jail sentence — part of which was on home detention. He was granted early release this month for good behaviour.

Yesterday’s hearing started with the unexpected no-show by Tey. Mr Low told the court that he only learnt five minutes before the proceedings started that Tey was in Kuala Lumpur with his parents and would not show up. Justice Woo Bih Li allowed the hearing to proceed, although the Criminal Procedure Code allows judges to throw out cases where appellants were absent.

When the judge pressed Mr Low to give details of when Tey was pressured when his statements were recorded, the lawyer cited purported comments by graft officers that his client had taken as threats to arrest his wife — who was not in Singapore in early April last year — when she returned to the country.

One of them, Mr Bay Chun How, also badgered Tey to confess that he had corruptly received gifts and sex from his students, said Mr Low.  Click here