Judge in sex-for-grades trial issues warrant of arrest for defence witness

Judge in sex-for-grades trial issues warrant of arrest for defence witness

    By Claire Huang
    POSTED: 07 May 2013 5:51 PM
  
The judge presiding over the corruption trial of a law professor on Tuesday issued a warrant of arrest, saying defence witness Dr Tommy Tan is to turn up in court on Wednesday.

SINGAPORE: The judge presiding over the corruption trial of a law professor on Tuesday issued a warrant of arrest, saying defence witness Dr Tommy Tan is to turn up in court on Wednesday.

Chief District Judge Tan Siong Thye said if Dr Tan fails to show up on Wednesday, he will be arrested to court by the police.

This is the sternest warning yet from the judge, who indicated that the trial be wrapped up on Tuesday.

His warning follows Dr Tan's refusal to testify in court after being subpoenaed.

Previously, the court heard Dr Tan underwent an eye operation and was not fit to testify.

On Tuesday, Senior Counsel Peter Low, who is representing Tey Tsun Hang in the sex-for-grades trial, told the court that Dr Tan is unable to testify in court as he was “busy with clients”.

The judge ordered Mr Low to convey the ramifications to Dr Tan.

Later in the day, the court heard Dr Tan is only able to attend court on Friday.

Four witnesses also gave evidence in court, including assistant registrar Colin Seow.

Tey, 42, faces six counts of corruptly obtaining gifts and sex from his former student, Darinne Ko, in return for giving her better grades between May and July 2010.

If convicted, Tey could be jailed up to five years and fined S$100,000 on each charge.

- CNA/xq


- wong chee tat :)