Man sentenced to six months' jail for abetting prostitution, managing brothel in Balestier
In debt to the tune of $20,000, Ng Wan Fu Ivan accepted in 2015 a job by a Chinese man known only as “KK” to work for a vice operator involved in prostitution.
Not only would Ng be paid for his work, “KK” also promised to help pay off his debt.
From 14 to 28 December 2016, the now 34-year-old Singaporean made seven to ten trips to deliver daily essentials such as food, condoms and lubricants to six Thai prostitutes operating out of two residential properties on Balestier Road. For his efforts, he was paid $20 for each trip.
He was also tasked to maintain the places and check on the prostitutes’ welfare as well as forward details of the women’s daily earnings to “KK” on messages via handphone. From time to time, Ng would receive the prostitutes when they arrived from Thailand.
His short stint came to an end on 28 December of the same year when he and two prostitutes were detained near Loy Kee Chicken Rice along Balestier Road by police officers.
For his role in the vice operation, Ng was sentenced in the State Courts to six months in jail on Monday (12 February).
He pleaded guilty to two charges of intentionally abetting the prostitution of persons and one charge of managing a brothel. Seven other similar charges were taken into consideration for his sentencing.
The court heard that the vice operation, described as “sophisticated”, involved runners collecting money and a chain of command that required the “international cooperation” of authorities to be thwarted.
For instance, authorities were unable to trace phone lines used in the vice operation, and lessees were unaware that their identities were used to obtain the residential properties the prostitutes operated out of at 328C Balestier Road and 334B Balestier Road.
While not the “mastermind”, his actions contributed “significantly” to the syndicate’s activities as he played a “central role” in shielding those higher in the chain of command, said Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Chan Yi Cheng.
“The sex workers came from abroad, and while he was not involved in their procurement, he was clearly aware that they were foreigners,” added Chan.
Stressing that Ng did not receive any earnings from the prostitutes and that his role, while central to the vice operation, was an “easily replaceable” one, defence lawyer Wee Hong Shern asked for a lower sentence of three months for his client.
“He is truly remorseful for his wrongdoings… He undertakes not to commit the same offences again,” said Wee.
Ng’s sentence commences on 1 March, and his bail is currently set at $15,000.
For managing a brothel, Ng could have been jailed up to three years and/or fined up to $3,000.
For intentionally abetting the prostitution of another person, he could have been jailed up to five years and fined up to $10,000.
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