Filipino jailed 12 months for having sex with 15-year-old girl

Filipino healthcare assistant Ray Reuven Roche Carbolido, 30, was sentenced on Friday (Dec 1) to 12 months' jail after pleading guilty to one count of sexual penetration of a minor.

He had befriended a 15-year-old girl on WeChat who told him how old she was and asked him if he was afraid to have sex with a minor.

When he said it should not be an issue since it was consensual, she went to his home and they had sex using a condom she had brought with her, reports The Straits Times.

During sentencing, two other charges of sex with the victim were considered during sentencing.

The court heard that Carbolido had sent the girl a chat request on Mar 19.

After she accepted his request, they began chatting.

He asked her if she wanted to have sex and she agreed.

She then went to Ang Mo Kio home that night and they had sex.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Michael Quilindo said that some other sexual acts were also performed between them. 

The girl was diagnosed with herpes simplex virus or cold sore six days later after feeling pain in her private part.

She was taken to KK Women's and Children's Hospital which reported the case to the police on Apr 1.

During investigations, the victim said that she had sexual encounters with several men, including Carbolido, from Mar 19 to 24.

Carbolido was subsequently arrested by the police.

On Apr 5, he was sent for a medical examination and there was no evidence that he had any sexually transmitted infection.

Carbolido was apologetic and asked for another chance.

District Judge Shaiffudin Saruwan said for offences like this, the court has always taken a strict view to protect the young and the vulnerable.

"There is exploitation by you in this case,'' he told Carbolido, who could have been jailed for up to 10 years or fined, or both jailed and fined.