Probation for teen who sexually abused two boys
His victims were fellow welfare home residents
The teenager begged the court not to send him for reformative training after pleading guilty to sexually abusing two younger boys while staying at a welfare home.
Zac (not his real name) had sexually abused two 11-year-olds on at least nine occasions between September 2014 and October last year.
We are not naming anyone due to a gag order.
The New Paper understands that Zac was placed in a welfare home due to a lack of family support back then.
Yesterday, the 16-year-old got his wish as he was sentenced to two years' probation for two counts of sexually penetrating a minor and one count of committing an obscene act with a child.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nicholas Lai said the prosecution did not object to probation after considering the accused's young age and family background.
This after his mother agreed to care for Zac, who also agreed to undergo a sexuality treatment programme and promised the court he would study for his N-level examination.
In July, Zac told the court he was worried about being in fights while at reformative training.
He had said: "Many of the people hate me."
Between Sept 1, 2014 and Oct 15, last year, the teen made his first victim, now 13, perform oral sex on him five times and commit obscene acts on him twice.
He turned his attention to his second victim, now 12, late last year and made the boy perform oral sex on him while in the toilet to avoid being caught by closed-circuit television cameras.
He also made the boy masturbate him.
AMISS
Welfare home officers, who had sensed something amiss, were waiting outside the toilet and questioned the boy when he came out.
A staff member made a police report on Nov 2.
Yesterday, Zac, who was not represented by a lawyer, told the court he was sorry for his actions and realised he was wrong.
Principal District Judge Bala Reddy also ordered Zac to perform 150 hours of community serviceand to undergo a sexuality treatment programme and to continue his studies for the N levels.
The teen's mother and her boyfriend were also bonded $5,000 to ensure Zac's good behaviour.
Six other charges were taken into consideration for sentencing.
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