by Elena Chong
A 16-YEAR-OLD was on weekend leave from a welfare home when he raped his step-sister in 2009.
The youth, now 18, did it four times in all when she was 14 and 15, at their home in the east. As a result, the girl became pregnant and delivered a baby girl in January 2010. The infant has been fostered out.
A Community Court heard on Friday that the victim and her nine-year-old half-brother were watching television at home one night in February 2009 when the accused started disturbing her by hitting her on the arms. She hit him back in a playful manner as they had done, when they were young.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Gail Wong said the accused suddenly felt an urge to have sex with the victim. He caught hold of her, pulled her into the bedroom and locked the door.
The victim shouted at her half-brother to take the spare keys and open the door. The accused then stood at the door to prevent her from leaving. He also opened the door and took away the keys from their half-brother and told him not to disturb. He raped her. He raped her again the following month.
The girl was too ashamed to tell her parents. The offences came to light in October 2009 when she revealed to a school counsellor what her step-brother had done. The accused, who had two other charges taken into consideration, will be sentenced on April 20. The maximum penalty for rape is 20 years, a fine or caning.