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Sex-for-grades trial adjourned after law professor suffers panic attack

Psychiatrists have diagnosed Tey with an "acute hyperventilation episode" and referred him to the Institute of Mental Health for a forensic psychiatric evaluation, which will establish if Tey can continue to stand trial (Yahoo! file photo)

[UPDATED 4.07pm 22 April: The counsel representing Tey Tsun Hang confirmed Monday his trial will be adjourned to 6 May or until his forensic psychiatrist's report is out, whichever comes sooner.]

The hearing for National University of Singapore (NUS) law professor Tey Tsun Hang’s sex-for-grades corruption case was postponed on Thursday after his ability to stand on trial came into question.

Psychiatrists have diagnosed Tey with an "acute hyperventilation episode" and referred him to the Institute of Mental Health for a forensic psychiatric evaluation, which will establish if Tey can continue to stand trial, according to local media.

Tey, 41, broke down on Wednesday during a cross-examination by the prosecution. While being assisted out of the Subordinate Courts, he was seen crying and breathing heavily.

Tey was subsequently treated at the National University Hospital (NUH) where he went through an exhausting series of medical and physical examinations. The tests were carried out through the night, and only ended on Thursday morning at 8.30am.

The law professor, facing six charges of corruptly obtaining gifts and sex from Ko between May and July 2010 in exchange for better grades, suffered the panic attack after prosecutors produced an appointment card that contradicted his court testimony, reported The Straits Times.

He claims that he was forced to miss a psychiatric appointment on 10 April 2012 because Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) officers insisted that he took his statement instead.

Prosecutors however produced evidence to show that Tey's appointment with the doctor was scheduled for 9.30am whereas he only arrived to give his statement at 11.50am, well after his psychiatric appointment time.

Related articles:
Relationship was not about grades or exploitation: NUS law professor
CPIB statements were taken under duress: Tey Tsun Hang
CPIB officer said 'you only got 1% chance of survival': Tey Tsun Hang