Singapore professor convicted in sex-for-grades case

A Singaporean law professor was found guilty of corruption Tuesday after a judge ruled that he abused his position to obtain sexual favours and gifts from a female student in exchange for good grades.

National University of Singapore (NUS) professor Tey Tsun Hang, 42, now faces jail terms and fines over his relationship with his then-student Darinne Ko in 2010. Local media reported that she is now 23 and working in a law firm.

Tey, who is married with a daughter, tricked Ko into having sex with him and received gifts that included tailored shirts and a limited-edition pen, Judge Tan Siong Thye said in his verdict.

Ko got pregnant during their affair and paid for her own abortion, the judge noted.

"I find the accused guilty as charged and convict him on all of the six charges against him," he said.

Tey faces a maximum five-year jail term and a Sg$100,000 ($78,000) fine on each charge. He is to be sentenced on Wednesday.

"It is a no-brainer that there was an obvious imbalance of power in favour of the accused. The accused had abused his position and power," the judge said.

"In my view, it was an illicit romantic relationship that was laced with ulterior motives and corrupt intention in which the accused intentionally abused his position and took full advantage of a student."

After the verdict, the NUS announced that it had terminated Tey's employment with immediate effect.